Digital soil fertility mapping

• Recently, the Soil and Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) launched a digital soil fertility mapping project to enhance soil health and agricultural productivity. Using geo-spatial techniques and data from Soil Health Cards (SHC), the initiative has successfully mapped soil fertility in 351 villages across Maharashtra.

Key Highlights:

• Soil Health Cards (SHC) Scheme
  • Launched in 2015 under the Soil Health and Fertility Scheme by the Government of India.
  • Provide farmers with insights into soil nutrient status (low, medium, high).
  • Recommend fertiliser application strategies to improve soil fertility and crop yield.
• Geospatial Techniques in Soil Mapping
  • Uses remote sensing, AI, and GPS-based tracking for accurate soil analysis.
  • Measures pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.
  • Each soil sample is geo-coded and assigned a QR code for precise monitoring.
• Benefits of Digital Soil Mapping
  • Helps farmers optimise fertiliser use, preventing overuse or underuse.
  • Reduces input costs while maximising crop yield and economic returns.
  • Promotes sustainable farming practices by ensuring balanced soil nutrient management.