What is it about?
.61104 The paper "Adoption of Soil Health Card by Farmers in Haryana: Perceptions, Challenges and Way Forward" by Ramphul Ohlan, Anshu Ohlan, and Rajbir Singh (published in January 2025) examines the implementation and impact of the Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme among farmers in Haryana, India. Key Focus Areas of the Study: Perceptions of Farmers – How farmers view the usefulness, reliability, and benefits of the Soil Health Card. Challenges in Adoption – Barriers such as lack of awareness, accessibility, trust in recommendations, and economic constraints. Way Forward – Policy suggestions to improve farmer engagement, awareness campaigns, and technological integration for better adoption. Significance of the Study: The SHC scheme, launched by the Government of India, aims to promote sustainable farming by providing soil nutrient status and fertilizer recommendations. Haryana, being an agriculturally intensive state, faces issues like soil degradation, overuse of fertilizers, and declining productivity. The study provides insights into why some farmers adopt SHC recommendations while others hesitate, helping policymakers refine the scheme. Methodology (Likely Used): Survey-based research involving farmers across different regions of Haryana. Statistical analysis to assess adoption rates and influencing factors. Expected Findings & Recommendations: Low adoption rates due to lack of awareness or distrust in recommendations. Need for better extension services, digital tools, and customized advice. Policy interventions like training programs, subsidies for soil testing, and mobile-based advisory systems. DOI & Publication Details: DOI: 10.48165/ijee.2025.61104 Published in the Indian Journal of Extension Education (IJEE) This study is valuable for agronomists, policymakers, and researchers working on soil health management and sustainable agriculture in India.
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Why is it important?
The study on "Adoption of Soil Health Card by Farmers in Haryana: Perceptions, Challenges and Way Forward" is important for several reasons, particularly in the context of sustainable agriculture, farmer welfare, and environmental conservation in India. Here’s why: 1. Promotes Sustainable Farming Practices The Soil Health Card (SHC) Scheme helps farmers understand their soil’s nutrient status, reducing excessive fertilizer use (a major problem in states like Haryana). Prevents soil degradation, nutrient imbalance, and long-term yield decline. 2. Economic Benefits for Farmers Overuse of fertilizers (especially urea) increases costs without improving productivity. SHC-based precision farming can cut input costs and increase profitability. Helps small and marginal farmers optimize resources for better returns. 3. Environmental Protection Excessive chemical fertilizers lead to water pollution (e.g., nitrate leaching), soil salinity, and greenhouse gas emissions. SHC encourages balanced nutrient use, reducing ecological harm. 4. Government Policy Insights Identifies why farmers hesitate (e.g., lack of awareness, distrust in recommendations, or accessibility issues). Helps policymakers improve extension services, training, and digital tools (e.g., mobile-based advisories). 5. Food Security & Long-Term Agricultural Productivity Degraded soils = lower crop yields → threatens India’s food security. SHC adoption ensures sustained soil fertility, crucial for future generations. 6. Regional Relevance (Haryana-Specific) Haryana is a major contributor to India’s wheat and rice production but faces declining water tables & soil health. Study highlights local challenges, aiding state-specific solutions. 7. Technological & Behavioral Change Encourages farmers to shift from traditional practices to evidence-based farming. Can integrate with digital agriculture (e.g., AI, IoT-based soil testing) for better adoption. Conclusion: The study is crucial because it bridges the gap between policy (SHC Scheme) and ground-level implementation, ensuring farmers benefit economically while protecting the environment. Without proper adoption, soil degradation will worsen, threatening agricultural sustainability in a key state like Haryana.
Perspectives
The study "Adoption of Soil Health Card by Farmers in Haryana: Perceptions, Challenges and Way Forward" can be analyzed from multiple perspectives, each offering unique insights into the issue of soil health management and agricultural sustainability. Here are the key perspectives: 1. Farmer’s Perspective Perception of SHC: Some farmers see it as a useful tool for optimizing fertilizer use and reducing costs. Others may distrust recommendations due to past experiences or lack of visible short-term benefits. Challenges: Low awareness about how to interpret and apply SHC data. Accessibility issues (distance to testing labs, delays in report delivery). Economic constraints (cost of implementing SHC advice, especially for small farmers). Expectations: Demand for simpler, localized, and actionable recommendations (e.g., crop-specific advice). Need for subsidies or incentives to adopt SHC-based farming. 2. Government & Policy Perspective Objective of SHC Scheme: Reduce fertilizer misuse, improve soil health, and enhance farm productivity. Implementation Challenges: Last-mile delivery issues (delays in testing, report dissemination). Lack of farmer engagement in awareness campaigns. Inconsistent follow-up (farmers may not retest soil periodically). Policy Recommendations: Strengthening extension services (training Krishi Vigyan Kendras & agri-experts). Digitization & mobile integration (real-time soil health tracking via apps). Incentivizing adoption (linking SHC use to subsidies or crop insurance benefits). 3. Environmental & Sustainability Perspective Soil Degradation Crisis: Haryana faces nutrient depletion, salinity, and groundwater overuse due to intensive farming. SHC can help reduce chemical runoff, protecting water bodies. Climate Resilience: Healthy soils retain more moisture, reducing vulnerability to droughts. Balanced fertilization lowers nitrous oxide emissions (a potent greenhouse gas). Long-term Benefits: Prevents yield stagnation and ensures sustainable food production. 4. Scientific & Technological Perspective Accuracy & Reliability of SHCs: Are the soil testing methods consistent and scientifically validated? Need for AI/ML-driven predictive models for dynamic recommendations. Innovations Needed: Portable soil testing devices for on-field assessments. Blockchain for tamper-proof soil health records. Integration with satellite/remote sensing data for large-scale monitoring. 5. Economic Perspective Cost-Benefit Analysis for Farmers: Does following SHC advice increase profitability in the short/long term? Case studies of farmers who succeeded/failed after adopting SHC. Market Linkages: Can SHC adoption lead to premium pricing for sustainably grown crops? Role of private sector in promoting soil health (e.g., agri-input companies). 6. Social & Behavioral Perspective Cultural Resistance: Traditional farmers may resist change due to ingrained practices. Role of peer influence (e.g., progressive farmers as ambassadors). Gender Dynamics: Are women farmers included in SHC awareness programs? Their role in decision-making on fertilizer use. 7. Comparative Perspective (Haryana vs. Other States) How does SHC adoption in Haryana compare to Punjab, Maharashtra, or Karnataka? Lessons from successful states (e.g., Andhra Pradesh’s community-driven soil health initiatives). Conclusion: Why Multiple Perspectives Matter This multidimensional analysis shows that SHC adoption is not just a technical issue but involves economic, social, environmental, and governance factors. Addressing challenges requires ✅ Farmer-centric solutions (easy-to-use, affordable). ✅ Stronger policy enforcement & tech integration. ✅ Behavioral change campaigns to shift mindsets.
Prof. Ramphul Ohlan
Maharshi Dayanand University
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This page is a summary of: Adoption of Soil Health Card by Farmers in Haryana: Perceptions, Challenges and Way Forward, January 2025, South Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities,
DOI: 10.48165/ijee.2025.61104.
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