Source: PIB
Context: The Soil & Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) has generated digital soil fertility maps for 351 villages across 34 districts in Maharashtra using geospatial techniques.
- This initiative, under the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, aims to enhance soil productivity and optimize fertilizer use.
About Soil Fertility Mapping:
What is Soil Fertility Mapping?
- It is a scientific method of assessing and visualizing soil nutrient composition across different regions.
- Uses geospatial techniques, remote sensing, and AI-based tools to generate precise soil health data.
Benefits of Soil Fertility Mapping
- Precision Agriculture: Helps farmers identify nutrient deficiencies and surpluses.
- Enables targeted fertilizer application for better crop yield.
- Cost-Efficient Farming: Reduces overuse and underuse of fertilizers, optimizing costs.
- Enhances soil productivity and economic returns for farmers.
- Improved Soil Health Management: Encourages integrated nutrient management (INM).
- Promotes organic manures and bio-fertilizers for sustainable farming.
- Environmental Sustainability: Minimizes soil degradation and nutrient depletion.
- Reduces chemical runoff and groundwater contamination.
- Empowering Farmers: Soil Health Cards (SHC) provide customized recommendations.
- Farmers can download SHC data using mobile-based services.
Key Features of The Soil Fertility Mapping Project:
- Digital Mapping & Data Collection: Soil samples are collected and analysed for pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and micronutrients (zinc, copper, iron, manganese, boron).
- Each soil sample is geo-coded using GPS and assigned a unique QR Code for tracking.
- Use of Geospatial & AI-Based Tools: Remote sensing and GIS mapping are integrated for high-accuracy data analysis.
- AI-powered predictive modeling assists in nutrient management strategies.
- Overcoming Challenges: Village-level mini soil testing labs are deployed in remote and hilly areas.
- Digital platforms enable farmers to access soil fertility reports via mobile numbers.
- Nationwide Implementation: The Soil Health & Fertility Scheme is available across all States & Union Territories.
- SLUSI works under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to promote scientific soil management.
