Consider the following statements with reference to Soil Health Card (...
- Soil Health Card is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over for each of his holdings. It is provided to all farmers in the country at an interval of 2 years to enable to apply recommended doses of nutrients based on soil test values to realise improved and sustainable soil health and fertility, low costs and high profits. Hence statement 1 is correct.
- Soil samples are tested with respect to 12 parameters: o Macro Nutrients - Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(P), Potassium(K). o Secondary Nutrients- Sulphur(S). o Micro Nutrients- Zinc (Zn), Iron(Fe), Copper(Cu), Mangnese(Mn), Boron(B). o Physical parameters- pH (potential of hydrogen), EC (electrical conductivity),OC (organic Carbon). Hence statement 2 is not correct.
- The recent study conducted by the National Productivity Council concluded that use of soil health card has helped farmers substantially reduce the cost of production and achieve higher production, thereby increasing farm income.
- Application of fertilisers as per the recommendation of soil health cards led to savings in nitrogen fertilisers such as urea, which resulted in reduction in the cost of cultivation. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Consider the following statements with reference to Soil Health Card (...
Soil Health Card (SHC) Overview
The Soil Health Card initiative aims to assess and enhance the health of soil across India, providing farmers with essential information about soil quality and nutrient management.
Analysis of Statements
Statement 1: SHCs are provided to all farmers in the country at an interval of 2 years.
- This statement is **correct**. The Soil Health Card is issued to farmers every 2 years to ensure they have up-to-date information regarding soil health and nutrient requirements.
Statement 2: Soil samples are tested with respect to macro and micro nutrients only.
- This statement is **incorrect**. Soil samples are tested not only for macro and micro nutrients but also for other parameters such as pH, organic carbon content, and soil texture. This comprehensive analysis helps provide a complete picture of soil health.
Statement 3: SHCs could lead to savings on fertilizers and increase in production.
- This statement is **correct**. By providing targeted recommendations based on soil health, SHCs can help farmers use fertilizers more efficiently, leading to cost savings and potentially higher crop yields.
Conclusion
Given the analysis:
- **Statement 1** is correct.
- **Statement 2** is incorrect.
- **Statement 3** is correct.
Thus, the correct answer is option **C (1 and 3 only)**. The Soil Health Card plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices by informing farmers about optimal nutrient management.