2025, Vol. 8, Issue 5, Part D

author(s)
Anil Kumar, Arpita Sharma Kandpal, Pooja Goswami, Vishal Kumar and Raushan Kumar

abstract
In developing countries like India, agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy, significantly influencing food security, income, and employment. Recognizing the importance of soil health for sustainable agricultural productivity, the Government of India launched the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme in 2015 to promote balanced fertilizer use based on soil testing. This study was conducted at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, surveying 60 farmers during a four-day farmers' fair. Using structured interviews and statistical analysis, the research assessed farmers' socio-economic characteristics, knowledge levels, adoption practices, and constraints regarding soil health management and SHC utilization. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents were middle-aged (52%), male (70%), and primarily engaged in farming (72%) on medium-sized landholdings (6-10 acres, 58%). Despite a high literacy rate, only 42% of farmers were aware of soil health concepts, and just 32% actively used SHCs. Traditional fertilizer application methods, such as broadcasting (95%), predominated, with limited adoption of soil testing practices; 68% of farmers never conducted soil tests. Constraints identified included limited access to modern technologies (87%), scarce extension services (90%), and adverse effects of climate change, with 68% reporting soil health degradation due to weather extremes. Overall, while awareness initiatives have reached a majority, actual adoption of scientific soil management practices remains low. The study concludes that enhancing access to soil health technologies, strengthening extension networks, and promoting climate-resilient practices are crucial to advancing soil health management and ensuring sustainable agricultural productivity.