Awareness Towards Soil Health Card: A case Study of Fuliyari Village,Mirzapur,U.P.

1. MINOR PROJECT REPORT
On
“Awareness towards Soil Health Card: A study of Fuliyari village”
Submitted by
RAJEEV KUMAR
2nd
Semester
In partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of
Master of Business Administration-Agribusiness
Guided by:
Dr. Sweta Singh
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
RGSC, BHU
Institute of Management Studies
Rajiv Gandhi South Campus
Banaras Hindu University
Roll Number: Enrolment No. Session:
18430BAB033 407377 2018-20

2. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
(Established byParliament by Notification No. 225 of 1916
Institute of managementstudies
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the minor project report entitled “Awareness towards Soil Health Card:
A study of Fuliyari village” has been prepared by Mr. Rajeev kumar, a student of MBA
(Agri-business) 2nd Semester, (Session 2018-20) of Institute of Management Studies as part
of his course curriculum.
This report is his original work and up to the standard expected from an MBA (Agri-business)
student of Management Institute.
I recommend this report to be forwarded for evaluation.
DATE: SUPERVISOR
PLACE: Mrs. Sweta Singh
Assistant professor
MBA (Agri-business)
RGSC, B.H.U.

3. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I take opportunity to express my profound and sincere gratitude to “BANARAS HINDU
UNIVERSITY, VARANASI” which provided me with excellent implements to achieve most
cherished goal in my life.
I wish to express our heartfelt thanks and immense gratitude to my respected advisor Mrs.
Sweta Singh Assistant Professor, Institute of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University
for his keen interest, valuable guidance, persistence inspiration, encouragement and moral
support though out the course of preparation of this project. He had always taken out from his
busy schedule to listen to us and also for valuable suggestions.
I am extremely thankful to Prof. S.K. Dubey, Director, Institute of Management Studies,
Banaras Hindu University and Prof. Ashish Bajpee, Course Coordinator- MBA (Agri-
business), Institute of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University for providing an
excellent academic climate in the institute which helped me making this project a grand
success.
My cordial and sincere thanks to all my teaching staff for giving me valuable academic
suggestions, encouragement and reliable help during my academic course and project.
I am thankful to my seniors, friends and classmates for their help, support, and good spirits.
Words are very inadequate to express my indebtedness and affection to my parents and
all family members who gave me infinite love to go for this achievement and showed full faith
in me even when I was not at my best.
Rajeev Kumar
MBA-AB
(2nd Semester)
RGSC, BHU

4. DECLARATION
I Rajeev kumar S/o Mr. Satyendra Prasad hereby declare that this project report titled
“Awareness towards Soil Health Card: A study of Fuliyari village” is an authentic work
done by me as complementary part of MBA (Agri-business) program. It is not a duplicate
work or readymade assignment of others.
On being proved so I myself will be liable for consequences.
Rajeev Kumar
MBA (Agri-business)
Session2017-19
RGSC, BHU
Enrolment No.-398697

5. TABLE OF CONTENTS
S. No. PARTICULARS Page No.
1. Introduction 1-7
2. Need of study 7
3. Literature Review 8
4. Statement of Research Problem 9
5. Research Objectives 9
6. Research Methodology 9-10
7. Data tabulation and Analysis 11-21
8. Findings 22
9. Conclusion 23
10. Suggestions 24
11. Limitations 25
12. Bibliography
13 Annexure

6. Introduction
India is the land of farmers where the maximum proportion of rural population depends on
agriculture. Soil Health Card Scheme is a scheme launched by the Government of India on
19 February 2015.
Background:
Soil testing programme started in India in the year 1955-56 with the setting up of 16 Soil
Testing Laboratories (STLs) under "Determination of Soil Fertility and Fertilizer Use"
programme.
Quite a few states, including Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Haryana have been
successfully distributing such cards. Tamil Nadu has started issuing soil health cards from the
year 2006 onwards.
According to a Press release dated 18 August 2014, up to March 2012, over 48 crore soil health
cards have been issued to farmers. However, no uniform norms were followed in the country
for soil analysis and distribution of such information before the issue of Soil Health Cards.
Through SHC Scheme, Centre plans to make this a pan India effort. Earlier Government of
India has never provided any assistance to the State Governments to undertake collection of
soil samples and their analysis.
Slogon- “Swasth Dharaa. Khet Haraa." - Healthy Earth. Green Farm.
What is a Soil Health Card?
SHC is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over for each of his holdings. It will contain
the status of his soil with respect to 12 parameters, namely N,P,K (Macro-nutrients); S

7. (Secondary- nutrient); Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo (Micro - nutrients); and pH, EC, OC (Physical
parameters). Based on this, the SHC will also indicate fertilizer recommendations and soil
amendment required for the farm.
Soil Health Card (SHC) is a Government of India's scheme promoted by the Department of
Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare. It is being
implemented through the Department of Agriculture of all the State and Union Territory
Governments.
Soil Health Card Scheme is a very beneficial scheme for farmers. There are many farmers in
India. And they do not know which types of crops they should grow to get maximum yield.
Basically, they do not know the quality and the type of their soil. They might know by
experience what crops grow and what crops fail. But they don't know what they can do to
improve the condition of the soil.
Objective of the Scheme:
Soil Health Card (SHC) aims at supporting sustainable production in agriculture sector by way
of:-
a) To issue soil health card once in every three years to farmers, so as to address nutrient
deficiency in soil and deciding type of fertilizer.
b) To strengthening functioning of soil testing laboratory through capacity building and
involvement of students.
c) To diagnose soil fertility related constraints.
Benefits of the Scheme:
a) The scheme will monitor the soil of the farmers well and will give them a formatted report.
So, they can decide well which crops they should cultivate and which ones they should skip.

8. b) The authorities will monitor the soil on a regular basis. One in every 3 years, they will
provide a report to farmers. So, farmers need not worry if the nature of the soil changes due to
certain factors. Also, they will always have updated data about their soil.
c) The work of the government does not stop at listing down measures required to improve the
quality of the soil. In fact, they will also employ experts to help farmers in carrying out the
corrective measures.
d) Farmers will get a proper soil health record, thanks to the Soil Health Card Scheme. Also,
they can study the soil management practices. Accordingly, they can plan the future of their
crops and land.
e) Generally, in government schemes, the person carrying out the study for a particular farmer
gets changed. But in the Soil Health Card Scheme, the government is paying attention that the
same person carries out soil analysis for a farmer. This will further enhance the effectiveness
of the scheme.
f) The soil card will give the farmers a proper idea of which nutrients their soil is lacking. And
hence, which crops they should invest in. they will also tell which fertilizers they need. So,
ultimately, the crop yield will see a rise.
h) The main aim behind the scheme was to find out the type of particular soil. And then provide
ways in which we can improve it. Even if a soil has some limitations, we can do something to
get the most out of it. And that is what the government is trying to do with the help of this
scheme.
Technicalities Involve In Soil Sampling :-
Norms of Soil Sampling?
Soil samples will be drawn in a grid of 2.5 ha in irrigated area and 10 ha in rain- fed area with
the help of GPS tools and revenue maps.

9. Who will draw the soil sample?
The State Government will collect samples through the staff of their Department of Agriculture
or through the staff of an outsourced agency. The State Government may also involve the
students of local Agriculture / Science Colleges.
What is the ideal time for soil sampling?
Soil Samples are taken generally two times in a year, after harvesting of Rabi and Kharif Crop
respectively or when there is no standing crop in the field.
How will soil samples be collected from a farmer's field?
Soil Samples will be collected by a trained person from a depth of 15-20 cm by cutting the soil
in a "V" shape. It will be collected from four corners and the center of the field and mixed
thoroughly and a part of this picked up as a sample. Areas with shade will be avoided. The
sample chosen will be bagged and coded. It will then be transferred to soil test laboratory for
analysis.
Who and Where will the soil sample be tested?
The soil sample will be tested as per the approved standards for all the agreed 12 parameters in
the following way:
At the STLs owned by the Department of Agriculture and by their own staff.
At the STLs owned by the Department of Agriculture but by the staff of the outsourced agency.

10. At the STLs owned by the outsourced agency and by their staff.
At ICAR Institutions including KVKs and SAUs.
At the laboratories of the Science Colleges/Universities by the students under supervision of a
Professor/ Scientist.
What is the payment per sample?
A sum of Rs. 190 per soil sample is provided to State Governments. This covers the cost of
collection of soil sample, its test, generation and distribution of soil health card to the farmer.
 Operational Aspect :-
A web based system has been put in place in July 2015 to generate Soil Health Cards
automatically based on either Soil Test-Crop Response (STCR) formulae developed by
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) or General Fertilizer Recommendations
(GFR) provided by State Governments. The system envisages building up a single national
database on soil health for future use in research and planning. The portals is funded under
the centrally sponsored scheme, National e-governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA),
It has also been decided that 2,000 model retail outlets of Fertilizer companies will be
provided with soil and seed testing facilities during the three years, beginning 2016.
Till March 2019, 19 (approx)crore cards have been distributed to farmers.
In two different phases:- 1st
phase--2015-17
2nd
phase—2017-19

11. Process to get Soil Health Card :-
The process of applying for the User Soil Health Card in India is mentioned below:
a) Offline process :-
1. The offline process is quite simple, you have to visit the office of the Krishi Adhikari,
where you will get the registration form.
2. All the details of the farmer must be mentioned in the form like name, address, land
details, etc.
3. The crops details must be entered in the form too for a complete study.
4. The Xerox copies of all the documents must be attached with the form while
submission.
5. Submit the form at the office of Krishi Vibhag.
6. Verifications will be done. Experts will visit the land to collect soil samples.
7. The result will be provided to the farmer in form of the User Soil Health Card.
8. The card must be updated every year.
Cycle I
Samples Collected
2,53,49,546
Samples Tested
2,53,49,546
SHCs Printed
10,73,89,421
SHCs Dispatched
10,73,89,421
Cycle II
Samples Collected
2,71,40,439
Samples Tested
2,54,52,158
SHCs Printed
9,44,92,741
SHCs Dispatched
8,62,60,383

12. b) Online process :-
1. Visit the official website https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/.
2. On the homepage, you will get the link for registration.
3. When the form opens, enter all the correct details about the farmer and the land along
with the crops farmed on it.
4. The authorities will visit the land and prepare a report.
5. After that, the status of the card can be checked by logging into your account with user
ID and password.
Need of study
India is the land of farmers, nearly 58% of the population of the country are directly or
indirectly related to farming. Soil is one of the most important component without which
agriculture is not possible. Hence, Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme is one of the most essential
scheme for the well-being of the farmers. Earlier some southern states in india where having
such scheme for their farmer i.e. Tamilnadu , Karnataka etc., Which were quit successful over
there so, This is being replicated by central government keeping keeping the essence of those
schemes a pan india scheme has been launched which is known soil health card. This scheme
was passed on 19th February 2015. So it is the need of the hour to know about the main
agriculture soil health of the country and hence I opted this topic for my Minor Project.

13. Literature review
Most of the studies are focused on sustainable use of fertilizers on the farms. While some of
the research are focused on such schemes which were launched by different state governments
under different formats, others are focused on projecting unbalanced use of fertilizers by
farmers, where much of the work is done. Hence a need of proper system for proper evaluation
of soil nutrient on regular basis for avoiding excessive or under use of fertilizer.
A lot of research has also been done on the depletion of soil quality due to overuse of fertilizers.
Mulvaneyetal.(2008) focuses on depletion of soil nitrogen due to overuse of synthetic nitrogen
fertilizers.
Makadia (2012) studied regional imbalances and impact of Soil Health Card on fertilizer
consumption in Gujarat, who showed positive and significant impact of Soil Health Card on
per hectare yield of selected crops. Generally, with Soil Health Card farmers utilized the
fertilizers judiciously as per the recommendation of Soil Health Card.
Ramappa K. B. et al (2015), which showed that level of adoption of the recommendations was
very low amongst the farmers, indicating lack of technical advice on method and time of
application, difficulty in understanding and following the recommended doses.
Study done by Ramesh Chand et al. (2015) points towards the imbalanced use of chemical
fertilizers and also stressing on the need of a balanced use of fertilizers for sustainable growth
and output in agriculture.

14. Statement Of Research Problem
“Awareness towards Soil Health Card: A study of Fuliyari village”.
Research objectives
 To get an insight regarding Soil Health Card
 To find the awareness level for Soil Health Card in Fuliyari village of Mirzapur district.
Research Methodology
Research Design: Descriptive
Population size: Approx. 1300 of Fuliyari village
Sampling Size: 50
Sampling Technique: Study by Convenient Sampling
Sampling Unit: Beneficiaries (Farmers)
Sampling Area: Fuliyari village of Mirzapur district
Primary Data: Collected through Schedule with close ended questionnaires.
Secondary Data: It was collected through books, research papers, reports and internet and
krishi vigyan Kendra, mirzapur.
Data Analysis: Done through Pie-Charts and Bar Graphs.

15. Methodology of data collection
In this study, both secondary and primary sources of data were used. The main sources of
secondary data for this study were previous research findings, Internets, reports of Agriculture
and Rural Development Offices at different levels, Krishi vigyan Kendra, Mirzapur. and other
published and unpublished materials. In addition to thorough review of literature and collection
of relevant secondary data, primary information was gathered from questionnaire method and
household survey. The survey was undertaken in Fuliyari village of Mirzapur district. The
collected data were coded and tabulated for analysis.
Descriptive research
It is used to describe characteristics of a population or phenomenon being studied. It does not
answer questions about how/when/why the characteristics occurred. Rather it addresses the
"what" question (what are the characteristics of the population or situation being studied?) The
characteristics used to describe the situation or population are usually some kind of categorical
scheme also known as descriptive categories.
Convenience sampling
Convenience sampling (also known as availability sampling) is a specific type of non-
probability sampling method that relies on data collection from population members who are
conveniently available to participate in study. Convenience sampling is a type of sampling
where the first available primary data source will be used for the research without additional
requirements. In other words, this sampling method involves getting participants wherever you
can find them and typically wherever is convenient. In convenience sampling no inclusion
criteria identified prior to the selection of subjects. All subjects are invited to participate.

16. Data tabulation and analysis
1. What is your annual income from farming?
a) Below 1 lakh
b) 1-2 lakh
c) Above 2 lakh
Inference:-
The annual income of majority of the farmers are below 2 lakhs as they are small and marginal
farmers. Only 28% of farmers have Earning more than 2lakhs. And maximum people’s earning
falls in between 1-2 lakhs.
17
19
14
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
A) BELOW 1 LAKH B) 1-2 LAKH C) ABOVE 2 LAKH
Series1

17. 2. Land holding in hectare?
a) Below 1 hectare
b) 1- 2 hectare
c) Above 2 hectare
Inference:
Most of the farmers of the village are small land holders having land of about 1-2 hectare.
So, most of the farmers are small and marginal type, hence engage into subsistence farming.
17
35%
18
36%
15
30%
a) Below 1 hectare
b) 1-2 hectare
c) Above 2 hectare

18. 3. Land holding types?
a) Own
b) Landlords
Inference:
According to the survey 96% of the farmers are the owner of the land and only
4% of farmar are cultivating crops on landlord’s field.
48
96%
2
4%
a) Own b) Landlords

19. 4.) Have you ever heard about Soil Health Card?
A)Yes
B)No
Inference:
According to the survey made almost 52 % of the farmers have heard about the Soil Health
Card. But still about 50% farmer has not heard about Soil Health Card, So still a lot to be done
for better penetration.
26
52%
24
48%
a) Yes
b) No

20. 5. If yes, than from where?
a) Fellow farmers
b) Government agents
c) Friends
Inference:
According to the survey conducted, most of the farmers get to know about the Soil Health Card
Scheme through the fellow farmers followed by the government agents.
13
50%
8
31%
5
19%
a) Fellow farmers
b) Agents
c) Friends

21. 6. Have you ever opted for Soil Health Card?
a) Yes
b) No
Inference:
According to the survey almost 46 % of the farmers have opted for Soil Health Card and 54 %
of the farmers have not opted for the Soil Health Card.
12
46%14
54%
a) Yes
b) No

22. 7. If no, are you looking forward to take Soil Health Card in near future?
a) Yes
b) No
Inference:
According to the findings of the survey, the farmers have an inclination towards opting for the
Soil Health Card as 86% and 14% farmers respectively are interested and not interested.
12
86%
2
14%
a) Yes
b) No

23. 8. Do you know the benefits of Soil Health Card?
a) Monitor the soil of the farmers.
b) Gets the record of available nutrient.
c) Shows the deficiency in soil.
d) Nutrients recommendation.
Inference:
According to the study made majority of the farmers know about the benefits that are related
to the schemes like, Monitor the soil of the farmers, Gets the record of available nutrient,
Shows the deficiency in soil, Nutrients recommendation .
22
18 18
17
MONITOR THE SOIL OF
THE FARMERS
GETS THE RECORD OF
AVAILABLE NUTRIENT.
SHOWS THE DEFICIENCY NUTRIENT
RECOMMANDATION
AxisTitle
Benifits of SHC

24. 9. Have you ever went to soil testing lab after issuance of Soil Health Card?
a) Yes
b) No
Inference:
According to the survey conducted, 48% of the farmers have again visited soil testing lab for
more information or further testing of soil.
Yes, 12,48%
No, 14,54%
Went to lab again
Yes
No

25. 10. Do you think Soil Health Card scheme is Beneficial for you?
a)Yes
b)No
c)Don’t know
Inference:
According to the survey conducted, majority of the farmers feels that Soil Health Card is
beneficial to them.
12
8
6
YES NO DON’T KNOW
SHC Befeficial to You?
Series 1

26. 12. What are the reasons for not opting the Soil Health Card?
a) Lack of awareness
b) No money
c) Not interested
d) Other reasons
Inference:
Most of the farmers who didn’t opt for the scheme said that they were not aware about the
new scheme so didn’t opt for it.
12, 50%
4, 17%
6, 25%
2, 8%
Reason for not opting for SHC
Lack of Awarness
No money
Not Interested
Other

27. Findings
According to the survey conducted my findings are as follows:-
 Majority of the farmers of the village are small farmers having an annual income below
2 lakh.
 Most of the farmers have land holding of about 1-2 hectare.
 Almost 96 % of the farmers have their own land.
 As much as 52% of the farmers have heard about the Soil Health Card scheme.
 Most of the farmers came to know about the scheme through fellow farmers and
through government agents.
 As much as 54 % of the farmers have not opted for the scheme due to various reasons.
 Almost 86 % of the farmers are looking forward to take the scheme in near future.
 Most of the farmers know about the benefits that are related to the schemes but have
less knowledge about the changes brought up in Soil Health Card.
 The farmers have very little knowledge about the benefits.
 Lack of awareness is the main reason for the farmers for not opting the scheme.

28. Conclusion
Soil Health Card Scheme is progressing well despite challenges such as inadequate staff, lack
of power supply and internet connectivity among others, a government-commissioned study
has said.
Under the scheme launched in February 2015, soil health cards have been distributed to nearly
ten crore farmers so far, against the target of 12 crore , as per official figures. The card, which
will be issued every three years, provides information to farmers on the nutrient status of soil
along with recommendations on appropriate dosage of soil nutrients to be applied for
improving soil health and its fertility.
“The overall impact of the scheme has been positive, leading to maximization and sustainable
growth at farm level by cost minimization and through efficient utilization of resources,” said
the study done by National Productivity Council (NPC).
In my research finding, I found that nearly half of farmers did not have soil health card, most
of the farmers have their own land and nearly 86% of farmer are wiling to take this schemes in
near future.
So, there is need of an extensive extension program for making the farmer about Soil Health
Card and their benefits for bringing most of the farmer in Soil Health Card schemes.

29. Suggestion:-
 The government should promote the awareness level of Soil Health Card through
various extension programmes so as to bring more number of farmers under the scheme.
 More soil testing labs should be established in order to provide easy access to lab in
near by areas.
 Incentivize groups of small farmers or women farmers.
 Farmers should be trained for collecting soil sampling so that Farmers can collect the
sample by their own.
 KVK and other agricultural institution can assist the farmer in recommending the
nutritional requirement for specific corps in order to harness maximum productivity.
 Seasonally crop specific nutrient recommendation should be sent with recommended
dosages of fertilizer.
 Mobile soil testing labs should be recommended in remote areas where soil testing
facilities are not available.

30. Limitations
Some of the limitations for preparation of this project are as follows:
 The study was confined to only Fuliyari village of Mirzapur district.
 Accuracy of data depends upon the ability & willingness of the respondents.
 Unwillingness of the respondents to share information.
 Respondents may become reluctant to answer questions as they are not aware of the
scheme.
 There was time constraint, but still efforts have been made to put the picture as clear
as possible.
 The conservative attitude of the respondents was a limiting factor in gaining
information.

31. Bibliography
 virtika singh , sujata Gaunguly and V.Dakishinamurthy, “Evaluation of india’s Soil
Health Card from user’s prospectives”, CSISA Research note,CIMMYT.
 Padmaja, B. and Angadi, J.G. 2018. “Utilization of Soil Health Card by Farmers in
Nutrient Management”. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 7(12): 1583-1592. doi:
https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.712.186
 Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and Farmer welfare.
https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/PublicReports/RIndex.
 Information on State-wise SHC Scheme Fund release / utilisation
– Under Progress of the SHC scheme - http://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/Content/blu
e/soil/assets/img/Statewisefundreleased. Pdf
 Manual for district level functionaries, District Manual – Soil Health Card,Year-2017

32. Annexure
“Awareness towards Soil Health Card: A study of Fuliyari Village”
Schedule:
1. General profile of respondent
a) Name- c) Location-
b) Gender (Male or Female)- d) Education-
2. What is your annual income from farming?
a) Below 1 lakh b) 1-2 lakh c) Above 2 lakh
3. Land holding in hectare?
a) Below 1 hectare b) 1-2 hectare c) Above 2 hectare
4. Land holding types?
a) Own b) Landlords
5. Have you ever heard about Soil Health Card?
a) Yes b) No
6. If yes, than from where?
a) Fellow farmers b) Agents c) Friends
7. Have you ever opted for Soil Health Card?
a) Yes b) No
8. If no, than are you looking forward to take the scheme in near future?
a) Yes b) No

33. 9. Do you know the benefits of Soil Health Card?
a) Monitor the soil of the farmers.
b) Gets the record of available nutrient.
c) Shows the deficiency in soil.
d) Nutrients recommendation.
10. Have you visited soil testing laboratory after receiving your SHC?
a)yes b)No
11.Do you think Soil Health Card is beneficial to you?
a) Yes b) No
12.What are the reasons for not opting Soil Health Card?
a) Lack of awareness c) No money
b) Not interested d) Other reasons

34. Annexure-II
Sample of Soil Health Card