Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC)

Brief
Launched on 19 February 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Suratgarh, Rajasthan, the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme is a nationwide initiative aimed at providing every farmer with a scientific assessment of their soils health. Operating under the slogan "Swasth Dharaa, Khet Haraa" (Healthy Earth, Green Farm), the scheme assists farmers in making data-driven decisions regarding crop selection and fertilizer usage

Objectives
To issue Soil Health Cards to all farmers at intervals of 3 years to monitor soil fertility, enabling balanced fertilizer use across 12 key parameters to boost productivity and lower costs by preventing chemical overuse

 Eligibility Criteria
- Minimum Age 18 years
- All farmers across India who own or cultivate agricultural land
- Rural youth, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Lead Farmers are eligible to set up soil testing labs with government subsidies

Benefits
- The central government typically funds 60% of the project, with states contributing 40% (for North Eastern and Himalayan states, the ratio is 90:10)
- The government covers the ~₹300 cost per soil sample for collection and testing, providing the card to farmers for free
- Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLE) and cooperatives receive up to ₹5 lakh in financial aid to establish mini soil-testing labs
- SHC provides customised nutrient management - SHCs scientific advice helps increase in crop yields by 5-6%