Official scientific soil nutrient assessment card issued to farmers by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, containing detailed test results for 12 essential soil parameters (NPK, Sulphur, Micronutrients, pH, EC, Organic Carbon) alongside customized crop-specific fertilizer and dosage recommendations
Blind application of chemical fertilizers like Urea (N) and DAP degrades soil microbiome and burns profits. The Soil Health Card specifies the exact kilograms per hectare of fertilizers and organic amendments needed for your specific survey number and crop.
💡 A Soil Health Card (SHC) is a printed scientific report issued to farmers every 3 years by the Ministry of Agriculture. It assesses 12 vital soil parameters—Macro-nutrients (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium), Secondary-nutrient (Sulphur), Micro-nutrients (Zinc, Iron, Copper, Manganese, Boron), and Physical parameters (pH, Electrical Conductivity, Organic Carbon). It provides precise, crop-wise fertilizer dosages to prevent over-fertilization, reduce input costs, and improve crop yield.
Distinguishing between agricultural technical advisory, direct cash transfer, and institutional credit documents.
| Agricultural Instrument | Primary Purpose | Governing Directorate / Bank | Direct Benefit to Farmer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soil Health Card (SHC) | Department of Agriculture Soil Health Report | Scientific nutrient profiling and customized chemical/organic fertilizer advisory | Does not disburse monetary subsidies directly; serves as a scientific management tool. |
| PM-KISAN DBT Registration | Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi | Direct income support of ₹6,000 per year transferred in 3 equal quarterly tranches of ₹2,000 | Provides direct financial liquidity; does not involve soil testing or agronomical advisory. |
| Kisan Credit Card (KCC) | NABARD / Bank Kisan Credit Card | Revolving institutional credit for crop cultivation expenses, seeds, pesticides, and machinery at subsidized interest rates | A credit line facility provided by banks; requires repayment within designated crop seasons. |
Soil samples collected in cycles of 3 years by state agriculture extension staff; laboratory results uploaded and cards dispatched within 3 to 6 weeks of testing.
Zero fees. 100% centrally sponsored scheme implemented through state agriculture departments.
Every farmer across all states and Union Territories in India holding cultivable agricultural land registered in state land revenue records (Khasra/Khatauni/7-12/Patta).
All agricultural landowners, tenant cultivators, and farmers cultivating food grains, pulses, oilseeds, horticulture, or cash crops who want scientific guidance on soil nutrition, balanced chemical fertilizer application, organic manure dosing, and state agricultural subsidy benefits.
State agriculture department teams or trained Krishi Sakhis collect representative topsoil (0-15 cm depth) using GPS-enabled V-shaped sampling cuts across 8 to 10 spots in the farm plot.
The composite soil sample is dried, pulverized, labeled with a unique Soil Sample Identification (SSID), and logged into the central portal at https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/.
Empaneled Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) test the soil for pH, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon (OC), Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), and Boron (Bo).
The national portal analyzes nutrient deficits against state university agricultural recommendations and generates customized fertilizer guidelines for up to 6 major crops.
The printed Soil Health Card is delivered to the farmer via the Gram Panchayat or Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), and the farmer receives an SMS alert with a link to download the PDF.
Soil health status changes with crop cultivation; request fresh soil testing every 3 years through your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or Block Agriculture Office.
If land ownership is transferred or subdivided, update the Khasra number mapping at the Block Agriculture Office.
In case of prolonged waterlogging, flash floods, or excessive soil salinity, request an emergency soil test to determine remediation measures.
Go to https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/ and click on 'Farmer Corner' or 'Print Your Card'.
Choose your State, District, Tehsil/Taluk, Block, and Gram Panchayat from the dropdown menus.
Enter the farmer's registered name, mobile number, or land survey number, then click 'Search'.
Click 'Print Card' to view and download the official 12-parameter report card in your regional language.
Resolving online search discrepancies and obtaining hardcopy reports from local agricultural offices.
| Challenge Encountered | Probable Reason | Corrective Step |
|---|---|---|
| Farmer record not found on Soil Health Card portal search | Spelling variations in farmer name or legacy survey number entry | Search using only the Village and District filters, then browse the village farmer list, or search by mobile number. |
| Soil sample collected but report pending for over 60 days | Backlog at the district Soil Testing Laboratory (STL) | Contact the Block Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) manager or Assistant Director of Agriculture (ADA) with the sample collection slip. |
| Fertilizer advisory suggests fertilizers unavailable in local cooperative society | Alternate nutrient equivalent formulations (e.g., SSP instead of DAP) | Consult your local Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) scientist to convert recommended nutrient quantities into locally available fertilizer grades. |
Soil Health Cards are renewed every 3 years by the Department of Agriculture, ensuring that farmers have updated records reflecting nutrient depletion and organic carbon changes.
Yes. Tenant farmers and sharecroppers can submit soil samples through their local Gram Panchayat, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), or Village Agriculture Assistant by mentioning the plot survey number.
Only soil testing laboratories (STLs), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), and state agricultural universities recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture and logged into the official portal (https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in/) issue official Soil Health Cards.
Yes. Baseline soil test records documenting low heavy metals, suitable pH, and rising organic carbon provide vital scientific evidence when transitioning to Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) or organic export certification.
Central database for soil testing laboratory results, farmer cards, and fertilizer advisories.
Operational guidelines on soil management, nutrient distribution, and laboratory standards.
Official Record of Rights (RoR) extract issued under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 and Gujarat Land Revenue Code, combining Village Form VII (land ownership & rights) and Village Form XII (crop details, agricultural tenancy, and government/bank encumbrances)
Foundational Record of Rights (RoR) document across Northern and Central India (UP, MP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand) comprising Khasra (plot survey details, crops, and land classification) and Khatauni (tenure holder ownership ledger, shares, and mortgage encumbrances)
Primary revenue ownership and cultivation records in South India (Tamil Nadu Anyatha, Andhra Pradesh Meebhoomi, and Telangana) comprising Patta (government title deed), Chitta (land classification and tax register), and Adangal (crop and cultivation ledger)
Primary agricultural land title and crop register document in Karnataka issued under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 through the Bhoomi digital portal, combining ownership rights (Form 16), mutation register (MR) references, soil classification, and seasonal cultivation data
Official crop insurance policy certificate issued under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) via the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP), providing comprehensive yield-based and weather-adversity financial risk protection against prevented sowing, mid-season drought/flood damage, localized calamities, and post-harvest losses
Official statutory employment entitlement document and household work register issued by the Gram Panchayat under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA 2005), guaranteeing a minimum of 100 days of unskilled manual wage employment per financial year to rural households
Old age pension for BPL senior citizens under IGNOAPS (NSAP) and State schemes — eligibility, documents, amount and status
Managed by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
National Soil Health Card Portal →