SOIL HEALTH CARDS Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh

1. SOIL HEALTH CARDS Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh

2. SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME • Issue of SHC along with soil test-based, site-specific fertilizer recommendations, once in every 3 years. • To issue Soil Health Cards within 3 year to covers 100% of all the farmers in the district. • In Krishna 5.54 lakh Farmers are doing Agriculture. Action plan: • Capacity building of progressive farmers and staff for promotion of balanced and integrated nutrient management (INM).

3. Cadastral mapping for selection of Survey nos Soil Sample collection by using GPS system Grid selection (2.5ha for irrigated & 10 ha for rainfed) A training is organized before collection of soil samples Collection appx.500gms of soil sample in polythene bag with farmer details GPS coordinates for every soil samples fixed at fields Selection of homogeneous sample by quartering method

4. Analysis of Soil Sample & input supply to the Farmers • Soil samples analysed with the standard procedures for 12 parameters soil texture, pH, EC, Organic Carbon, available P,K, Secondary nutrients Sulphur & Micronutrients like Zn, Iron, Cu, Mn & Boron.

5. Cadastral Map & GPS instrument training

6. Cadastral map of Kochcherla (v) in Kalidindi (m)

7. CADASTRAL MAPS Type I 8 inches = 1 mile Grid : For Irrigated 2.5 ha = 2cm* 2cm (6 to 8 places) For Rainfed 10 ha = 4cm*4cm (10 to 15 places) Type 2 16 inches = 1 mile Grid : For Irrigated 2.5 ha = 4cm* 4cm (6 to 8 places) For Rainfed 10 ha = 8cm*8cm (10 to 15 places)

9. After analysis the results are entered into Online License Management System (OLMS) • Web generated results sent by SMS in local language to mobile number of farmers.

10. Online Soil Health Cards • Tracking, monitoring of all samples, Web Land & Google Maps Integration • Web based Fertilizer recommendations for 6 crops like Paddy, Maize, Cotton, Pulses, Chilies, & Sugarcane are generated

11. Soil Health Card 11

12. Pooling of Resources • Agricultural scientists with soil science back ground from ICRISAT(2) /KVK (4) were identified to coordinate with Agril Dept for implementation of Soil Health Card scheme. • A comparative study of the soil samples analysis is made available for every year in the STLs, RARS & ICRISAT. • 2. Strengthening of lab equipment to test micro nutrients. • New Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer and U.V. Spectro photometers were made available in the Soil Testing Labs for Micronutrient analysis.

13. 3. Steps to deploy trained soil scientists to fill up vacancies into labs. • As the number of soil samples for analysis is high, specially trained staff staff (1-ADA, 8 AOs & 12 AEOs) have been deployed to the STLs to complete the process within stipulated time. • 4. Measures taken to complete Sample analysis in time. • The polythene covers along with Information sheets are required for collection of soil samples are supplied well in advance. • Transport facilities are provided to the AOs for immediately sending to the labs. • AEOs, MPEOs and AOs are deputed to work on shift basis to the STLs. • 1 or 2 computers & data operators with net facility are arranged for speedy data entry of results in OLMS.

14. 5. Involvement of farmers by informing the schedule of sample collection. • Organizing the village level meetings by involving local public representatives & the farmers regarding the schedule of soil sample collection. • The farmers cooperated with the department field staff and voluntarily involved in collection of soil samples. 6. Campaign for sample collection / card distribution and educating farmers. • Educating Farmers through Govt programmes like Polam Pilusthondi & JBMV programme. Voice messages and Video. • Creating awareness among the farmers about the importance of soil testing, based on the results, correction of problematic soils as per the INM. Video Voice Message

15. 7. Awareness on Soil Health Management & celebration of World Soil Day. • World Soil Day has been celebrated on 5th Dec.2015, at District level as well as at mandal level. • Posters & Pamphlets related to World Soil Day celebrations are exhibited. • Soil Health Cards are also distributed on the same day by involving Hon’ble M.P, Ministers, MLAs & other Public Representatives. • The Farmer Scientist interaction with main emphasis on soil health management, balanced fertilizer application and Micronutrient fertilizer usage by involving DAATTC, KVK, & ARS Scientists.

16. Hon’ble MP, Machilipatnam, Krishna District- Sri Konakalla Narayana Rao has distributed Soil Health Cards to the Farmers on the occasion of World Soil Day. Hon’ble MP, Eluru,- Sri Maganti Venkateswara Rao has distributed SHC to the Farmers in JBMV at Mudinepalli Hon’ble Deputy Speaker, Sri Mandali Buddha Prasad distributed SHC in JBMV Programme at Nagayalanka mandal Hon’ble Minister for Excise,Sri Kollu Ravindra & Chairman of Housing Board Corporation, AP at Pamarru mandal

17. lnnovative Measures • The village wise Cadastral maps were used for the first time in AP to select the exact location & for forming of grids. • The samples are collected by using GPS instrument for the first time in AP duly recording the longitude and latitude of the holdings. • Android application was also developed by the Agril dept, AP and the same information was captured in the tablets given to the field functionaries. • Special Team was formed at District Level to enter the data and printing of SHCs in multicolour with complete information and recommendations for 6 crops. • The SHCs can be adopted for 3 cropping seasons. • The SHCs were laminated and distributed to the farmers on free of cost. • Voice messages • Grids

18. Outcome of the Scheme • Large area and more no.of farmers have been covered under soil sampling compared to previous years. • OLMS system has generated recommendations for 6 crops in short time. • Excess use of fertilizers reduced leading to reduction of cost of cultivation. • Reclamation of saline and alkaline soils. • During 2014-15, micronutrient utilization was only 500 MTs. This year due to the intervention3000 MTs of Micronutrients were utilized (6 times) as a result of which, production increased by 15 to 20% in the area of implementation. • Increased awareness among the farming community about soil fertility & importance of soil testing & SHCs.

19. Suggestions for improvement in the Scheme. • Organising more no.of trainings to both farmers and field functionaries is essential at village, Mandal & District level by experts. • Provision of getting SHC by the farmers directly from mee seva centres. • Supply of GPS instruments atleast 10 per mandal due to recruitment of MPEOs in the district. • Providing infrastructure facilities

20. Soil sampling, Micronutrient deficiency status and Recommendations A total of 275 samples were collected and analysed for micronutrient deficiency and recommendations were given with soil health cards

21. CCE on-going in Pilots – Yield increases

22. % of yield increases in various crops due to application of Micronutrient

23. Thank You Babu.A ababu@ias.nic.in Collector & District Magistrate Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh.