DISTRICT COLLECTOR VISAKHAPATNAM DISRICT ANDHRA PRADESH 1.3.2016 – 11.00 – 11.30 AM

1. PRESENTATION BEFORE SCREENING COMMITTEE FOR SELECTION OF PRIME MINISTER’S AWARDS FOR CATEGORY–I (EXCELLENCE IN IMPELEMENTATION OF PRIORITY PROGRAMMES) SOIL HEALTH CARD DISTRICT COLLECTOR VISAKHAPATNAM DISRICT ANDHRA PRADESH 1.3.2016 – 11.00 – 11.30 AM

2. A Few words at the out set • Visakhapatnam District is one of the North Coastal Districts in Andhra Pradesh having diversity of activities with identical Geographical situation such as agency area consisting of 11 mandals as against the total mandals of 43. Administrative Profile No. of Parliamentary Constituencies : 3 No. Assembly Constituencies :15 No. Revenue Division : 4 No. Mandals : 43 No.ofGramaPanchayats : 925 No. of Revenue Villages : 3286 Municipal Corporation (GVMC) : 1 Municipalities : 2

3. VISAKHAPATNAM DISTRICT

4. The total Population of the district is 42.88 lakh, of which 22.50 lakh people are living in rural areas which accounts for 52.47%. • The total geographical area of the district is 11.16 lakh Hectares and out of which the forest area occupies 39.53%. • This district endowed with 132 kms long sea coast which is blessed in disguise for comprehensive development of the district. • Agriculture and allied sector is the core one which has taken care of the livelihoods of the people living in Rural areas though this district is emerging as a hub for Industrial, Tourism and Education etc.

5. Operational Holdings • There are 4.75 lakh operational holdings in the district having an extent of 9.88 lakh acres as per 2010-11 Agriculture censuses. • As against the total holdings of 4.75 lakh, Marginal Farmers are 3.61 lakh with 3.38 lakh acres and there are 0.69 lakh Small Farmers with 2.36 lakh acres, in the district which means the small and marginal farmers put together constitute 91% of the total farmers in the district. • The Tabular presentation can be witnessed below.

6. Rainfall • The Normal Rainfall of the District is 1202.3mm and out of which 712.6mm of the precipitation received during south west monsoon which spread over from June to September that accounts for 59% of the annual normal rainfall of the district. • Similarly 25% (297.2 mm) of the rainfall has been experienced in North East monsoon and 14% received in Hot weather period and the details of which are illustrated below. • The behavior of the Moon soon is erratic nature which caused • frequent losses to the farming community in the district.

7. Principal Crops Grown • Total Normal Cropped Area under different crops such as Food Crops, Pulses, Commercial Crops, Vegetables and Perennial crops like Horticulture gardens is 5,15,151 (Hectors). • The Principal Crops in the district are Paddy, Horticulture gardens, sugar cane and ragi etc., which can be seen below table.

8. PRODUCTIVITY • The Productivity of certain crops grown in the district under existing soil and climatic condition in the district can be glanced by seeing the table presented below. • CEREALS PULSES

9. EDIBLE OILS OTHER CROPS

10. IRRIGATION • As against the total cropped area of 3,91,1938 Hectares, the Gross Irrigated Area is 1,53,370 Hectares that accounts for 39% • 61% of Area is under unirrigated condition to grown various crops in the district.

11. Ground Water

13. District Domestic Product Agriculture & Allied Sector Rs . In Crores • Agriculture Sector (Rs.8003 Cr.) is contributing 12.3% of the District GDDP (Rs.65129 Cr.) for the year 2015-16 (AE)

14. SOILS • 48% of the soils in the district are Red Sandy Clay Loams soil. • 50% of soils are Sandy Loamy soils which in fact light textured and easily drained. • On fertility front, 45% of the soils in the district are low in organic content and 55% in Phosphorous content.

15. While agro, climatic and soil conditions of the district stand thus, The Hon’ble Prime Minister of India has launched a novel programme by name SOIL HEALTH CARDS SCHEME (SHC) with the following objectives. Objectives of the SHC Scheme • To issue SHCs every 3 years to all farmers of the country. • To strengthen functioning of Soil Testing Laboratories (STLs) through capacity building, involvement of agriculture students and effective linkage with Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)/State Agricultural Universities (SAUs).  • To diagnose soil fertility status with standardized uniform procedures for sampling and analysis across the states. • To develop and promote soil test-based nutrient management by designing fertilizer recommendations in targeted districts. • To build capacities of district and state level staff and of progressive farmers for promotion of balanced and integrated nutrient management.

16. In order to achieve the set objectives, the process involved in this scheme is • SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION • SOIL SAMPLE ANALYSIS • SOIL HEALTH CARD DISTRIBUTION

17. SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION • Participation of Key stake holders is the central essence of this programme and towards this end, the following sections of the people are involved. • SCIENTISTS FROM RARS, KVK • PROGRESSIVE FARMERS • PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES • SELF HELP GROUPS • LOCAL FERTILISER DEALERS • To gives space for each bit of the land, village mapping is done by using Cadestral maps for formation of Soil Grids and from which Soil samples being collected.

18. SPECIMEN OF VILLAGE CADESTAL MAP

19. SOIL SAMPLE Collection: • Trainings were given to lab staff for implementation of the scheme at state level • All field functionaries were supplied with GPS and training given for recording coordinates and collection of samples from Grid farmers holdings separately for irrigated and rainfed areas • In irrigated areas, large, medium and semi-medium holdings (size more than 2.5 ha) will be sampled and tested holding-wise. In case of marginal & small holdings, sampling in a 2.5 ha grid will be followed. • In rainfed areas, all large holdings (size more than 10 ha) will be sampled and tested holding-wise. In case of medium, semi-medium, small & marginal holdings, samples will be collected and tested in a 10 ha grid.

20. SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION

21. SOIL SAMPLE ANALYSIS • There are 4 soil testing laboratories in the District, namely • District Soil Testing Laboratory Anakapalli: SAMPLES ANALYSIS CAPACITY : 15000 • Mobile soil testing laboratory visakhapatnam: 20000 SAMPLES • 3. Soil Testing Laboratory: Agricultural Market Committee , • Narsipatnam : 4000 SAMPLES • 4. Soil Testing Laboratory: Agricultural market Committee , • Paderu : 1500 Samples

22. Analysis of soil samples in laboratory at Anakapalli

23. Intuition wise Soil Sample analyzed during 2015-16

24. Targets and Achievements for 2015-16 in Visakhapatnam District

25. Measures Taken to Strengthen Laboratories

26. SPECIAL INITIATIVES • Samples were sent to lab immediately through special messengers • Received samples were registered accordingly • A meticulous plan is chalked out to ensure two shifts in every lab involving six (6) no. of analysts along with deployed staff continuously for three (3) months. • 400 no. of samples were analyzed for Macro and Micro analysis per day in all three labs. • The analyzed data uploaded www.apagrisnet.gov.in web site. on the same day . • SMS on analysis data as well as soil test based recommendation were sent to farmers mobiles.

27. ANALYSIS RESULTS • FERTILITY INDEX REPORT OF THE DISTRICT • Organic Carbon: Low in plain mandals medium to high in agency areas • Nitrogen: Medium range • Available Phosphorous: High (>60%) • Available Potassium: Medium to High (80%) • Micronutrient status • Zinc: 42% soils are deficient • Iron: 18% of soils are deficient • Manganese: 18.5% of soils are deficient • Copper: 4.5% of soils are deficient

28. Depicting of Soil Test Results in Visakhapatnam Dist. 2015-16

29. Soil Health Card (SHC) Distribution • Soil health cards were supplied to Grid farmers well before commencement season that too before sowings / transplanting by conducting special campaigns, Janmabhoomi / Maavuru programmes and in Polampilustondi programmes at village level. • To sensitize the forming community on adoptions of soil test based recommendations, Special awareness campaigns being conducted on the eve of World Soil Day.

30. Specimen of Soil Health Card (SHC)

31. Mandal level awareness campaigns to farmers at Koyyuru Mandal

32. Soil Health Card Distribution to farmers

33. World Soil Day on 5th December, 2015

34. World Soil Day on 5th December, 2015

35. WORLD SOIL DAY EXHIBITION

36. WORLD SOIL DAY CELEBRATIONS WITH RARS SCIENTISTS AT ANAKAPALLI

37. Follow up of Soil Health Cards Scheme : • Based on the soil test based fertilizer recommendations, problematic soil / micro nutrients deficiency soils were identified. • Suitable reclamation measures were suggested to the farmers. • 689 qtls. of green manure seed supplied on subsidy for enhancement of organic matter in the soil • Supplied 305 tones. of Gypsum on subsidy for reclamation of alkaline soils. • Supplied 114 tones. of ZINC and 5 tones of Boron micro nutrients on subsidy to farmers

38. Impact of SHC • Usage of urea has been decreased from 50,000MT during 2014-15 to 41000MT(2015-16) • It helped the farmers for timely application of Basal dose of P & K nutrients in time which augmented for enhancement of productivity. • The timely diagnosis of deficiencies triggered the farmers to apply zinc towards correction of Micronutrient deficiency. • The ultimate objective of reducing the cultivation cost and thereby getting of better yields are achieved. • The initial observations revealed that around 5-6% of growth in productivity is registered in the grids.

39. Action plan for 2016-17 : • All field functionaries will be given training on collection of soil sampling. • Laboratories will be provided with additional equipment for analysis of Boron deficiency as well. • Rs.53 lakhs of budget which was provided for strengthening of labs under NMSA will be utilized. • Analysis and handing over of SHCs to farmers will be completed before 30th of June

40. POINT-1 MEASURES TO POOL RESOURCES FOR SHC SCHEME • At village level :- Agricultural Extension Officer, MPEO and VRO • At Mandal level:- Mandal Agricultural Officer, MandalTahsildar • At Divisional level: Assistant Directors of Agriculture {R} and Soil Testing ADAs will monitor the scheme • At District level:- Joint Director of Agriculture / Scientists from R.A.R.S./ K.V.K. / ICRISAT and Three Deputy Director of Agriculture for each division will monitor the scheme

41. POINT-2 STRENGHENING LAB EQUIPMENT TO TEST MICRONUTRIENTS

42. POINT-3 STEPS TO DEPLOY TRAINED SOIL SCIENTISTS FILL UP VACANCIES INTO LAB • All the 39 Mandal Agricultural Officers have been trained to become expert in soil analysis in the Lab. • Deployment of expert analysts (Agricultural Officers) on rotation basis from the field along with supporting staff for every week on rotation basis apart from the six regular expert analysts in each Lab

43. POINT-4 MEASURES TAKEN TO COMPLETE SAMPLE ANALYSIS IN TIME • Four STLs functioning in Visakhapatnam District Other Institutions in Soil Sample analysis

44. POINT-4 MEASURES • Date wise registration of samples will be done after receiving the samples at Soil Testing Lab • All the Labs are working in two shifts with six expert analysts and supporting staff continuously in the season. • 400 No. of samples were analysed for Macro and Micro analysis per day in the district. • The analysed soil samples data was made online on the same day to the website www.apagrisnet.gov.in • SMS has been sent to the farmer mobiles along with the fertilizer recommendation based on the soil test results.

45. POINT-5 INVOLVEMENT OF FARMERS IN SOIL SAMPLE COLLECTION • Soil Sampling motivation campaigns were conducted at village level in GramaSabhas in the month of February, 2015 • Selected One farmer facilitator for every 1000 Ha. and maximum of 5 farmer facilitators per mandal and has been trained in soil sample collection • Created awareness among the farmers on Soil Health Cards scheme and its importance in improving the soil health there by increasing the crop yields by reducing the cost of cultivation • Village wise soil sampling schedule has been announced in the gramasabha and given wide publicity by beat of TOMTOM one day before • Special trainings were conducted to the women farmers by involving self help groups at mandal level involving Scientists from R.A.R.S., DATTC and KVK

46. POINT-6 CAMPAIGNS FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION / CARD DISTRIBUTION AND EDUCATING FARMERS • Soil sample collection campaigns were conducted in PolamPilusthondhi on every Tuesday and Wednesday of the week and in JanmabhoomiMaavuru in each and every village and habitation. • Soil health cards were distributed in Gramasabhas through the local public representative by duly explaining the results of the village well before the season commencement . • Special awareness campaigns conducted through farmer facilitators on the adoption of soil test based recommendations • Village level rallies were conducted by duly involving the progressive farmers, women groups (SHGs) and Public Representatives on soil health importance

47. POINT-7 AWARENESS ON SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT ON WORLD SOIL DAY • Village level campaigns were conducted from 24th November, 2015 to 4th December,2015 by involving High school students, SHGs, Progressive farmers under the supervision of Village Agricultural Extension Officer and Officers from STL, Mandal Agricultural Officers and Scientists from ANGRAU by duly inviting local Sarpanches • Celebration of World Soil day has been conducted in every mandal headquarter by involving local public representatives (MPP,ZPTC etc.) • At District level by involving Scientists from RARS, KVK, DATTC and duly inviting local MLAs, MPs and Hon`ble Ministers • Posters and Pamphlets have been released and distributed on Soil Health management.

48. POINT- 8 INNOVATIVE MEASURES TAKEN IN SOIL SAMPLING AND SOIL HEALTH CARD PREPARATION • Trainings were conducted to all the village level and mandal level Agril. Departmental officers and farmer facilitators in usage of GPS (Global Positionig system). • Village wise cadestral maps were being provided to the village level Agril. Departmental officers and farmer facilitators for mapping the survey no. wise soil sample collection. • Identification of grids have been done in gramasabhas by duly involving public representatives and progressive farmers.

49. POINT – 8 MEASURES FOR PRINTING OF SOIL HEALTH CARDS • While collecting the samples itself the farmer details survey no. / Aadhaar no./ mobile no./ longitude-latitude were uploaded through GPS into google map. • Immediately after analysis, crop wise fertilizer requirements were calculated based on ZREAC recomendations and the data has been uploaded to the website www.apagrisnet.gov.in. • After uploading the data to the website farmer will receive a message in local language on soil sample results and fertilizer recommendations for 6 major crops for ensuing crop seasons. • Centralisedmulticolour pre-printed forms have been prepared and uploaded data has been printed on the cards and laminated for safe custody as the soil health results will holds good 3 crops seasons.

50. POINT-9 OUTCOME OF THE SCHEME- SHC • FERTILITY INDEX REPORT OF THE DISTRICT • Organic Carbon: Low in 28 plain mandals medium to high in 11 agency mandals 2. Nitrogen: Medium range 3. Available Phosphorous: High (>60%) 4. Available Potassium: Medium to High (80%) 5. Micronutrient status • Zinc: 42% soils are deficient • Iron: 18% of soils are deficient • Manganese: 18.5% of soils are deficient • Copper: 4.5% of soils are deficient