ESTABLISHMENT OF SOIL TESTING PROJECTS AT VILLAGE LEVEL UNDER SOIL HEALTH MANAGEMENT (SHM) SCHEME OF NATIONAL MISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE (NMSA) - GUIDELINES 1. Introduction: Soil Health Management (SHM) is one of the most important interventions under National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA). SHM aims at promoting location as well as crop specific sustainable soil health management, creating and linking soil fertility maps with macro-micro nutrient management, judicious application of fertilizers and organic farming practices. Under SHM, establishment of soil testing labs in one of the components which are mainly located at district / block level. Therefore, village level soil testing projects will be established with the objective of employment generation for rural youth and to improve timelines in analysis of soil samples. 2. Objectives: i. To improve soil quality and profitability of farmers. ii. Employment generation for rural youth. iii. To improve timeliness in analysis of soil samples. iv. Introduction of the Single Window approach from collection to issue of SHC so as to minimize delays and maximize convenience to farmers v. Online delivery of soil health cards to the farmers using Soil Health Card Portal. vi. Provide soil testing facilities to farmers at their door step. 3. Strategy: To achieve the above objectives, the following strategies will be adopted: Identification of beneficiary and Establishment of Soil Testing Projects in each village The soil analysis process to be completed within one month of receipt of soil samples in the STL i.e starting from March of the year to June month and October & November of the year. The schedule is as under; A. Sampling and registration on portal: 1-10 days B. Analysis of soil samples: 11-20 days C. Uploading of recommendations on the portal: 21-25 days D. Printing and distribution of SHC: 26-30 days. 1
(iii) (iv) Promote soil sampling, testing and fertilizer recommendation among stakeholders by way of training in District level laboratories. Provide financial assistance to Village entrepreneur (18 40 age group), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Joint Liability Groups, Farmer Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Input Retail outlets, Input Retailers and School/colleges located in the district to Establish Soil Testing Lab. (v) Soil Sample collection at village level in the irrigated areas will be drawn in a grid of 2.5 ha. In rainfed areas, sampling will be done in a 10ha. Grid. (vi) (vii) Soil samples should be processed following standard procedures and analyzed for various parameters namely ph, electrical conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon, available N, P, K, S and micronutrients (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn & B). In addition, science colleges / schools having laboratories may be assigned the task of soil testing. The students can do the work of soil testing under guidance of teachers / instructors. Provide financial assistance for sample collection, testing and printing & distribution of soil Health Cards. 4. Scheme Structure: The National Level Advisory Committee, Executive Committee and State Level Committee will remains same as under NMSA. District Level The District Level Executive Committee (DLEC) will comprise of the following: Collector/ADM Dy. Director (Agriculture) District Agriculture/Horticulture Officer Representatives of line Departments, SAUs/ICAR, nominated progressive farmers, representatives from SHG, Project Director ATMA, representatives from lead banks/nabard Chairman Member Secretary Co-Member Secretary Experts Members DLEC will be responsible for carrying forward the objectives of the scheme for project formulation, implementation and monitoring. The office of DD (A)/JD (A) shall be the district nodal agency with following functions: Identify beneficiaries (Village entrepreneur (18 40 age group), Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Joint Liability Groups, Farmer Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Input Retail outlets, Input Retailers and 2
School/colleges located in the district) to avail the benefits of scheme in transparent and time bound manner. (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) (viii) (ix) (x) (xi) (xii) Identify the premises for establishment of Soil Health Labs. The premises of School /College/ Panchayat buildings / input Retail outlets etc. may be used for such purpose. Utilize online application software for the entire process of identification and selection of beneficiary, processing of applications and disbursement of financial assistance to the beneficiary after ensuring the proof of procurement of equipment/inputs as per provisions and norms. The beneficiary must be well trained from the Government approved testing laboratories/kvks/saus etc for analysis of soil sample & having knowledge of computer. Prepare district AAP with physical and financial targets under this scheme. Receive funds from State Nodal Department for implementing the programmes. It would be ensured by the State Government that no eligible beneficiary suffers for want of Aadhaar and it would be with the State Govt. responsibility to ensure that Aadhar enrolment of such beneficiaries is carried out on priority at the permanent Enrolment centres set up for the purpose. However, the benefits will not be denied for not having the Aadhar number by the eligible beneficiary. Monitor & display details of approved programme, all activities undertaken and name of beneficiaries, expenditure incurred etc. at the soil health portal, Panchayat Bhavan/prominent public place in the cluster/village level and get it placed before the concerned Gram Sabha annually from the point of social audit. ICAR institutes /SAUs and KVKs functioning in the district will provide technical support in formulation of the district action plan, its implementation and monitoring. The technical staff will be sourced from these organizations for imparting training to the beneficiary. Government as a whole should draw a roadmap with timelines for expeditious creation of a single window at the local level for provision of all developmental and regulatory services to citizens. To monitor the performance of established labs and appraise potential strengths/weaknesses. One nodal officer at each District will be assigned this task. To create awareness about the scheme and market it among potential users through road show, print advertisement, electronic media etc. 3
(xiii) Arrangement of training to the beneficiary. 5. Beneficiary: I. Individual or Group or Institutions i) Individual: Village entrepreneur (18 40 age group), Input Retailers. ii) Groups: Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Joint Liability Groups, Farmer Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Input Retail outlets. iii) Institutions: School/colleges located in the district II. The unit must have well trained persons from the Government approved testing laboratories/kvks/saus etc for analysis of soil sample & having knowledge of computer. 6. Financial Assistance: a. For Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Joint Liability Groups, Farmer Cooperative Societies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Input Retail outlets, School/colleges located in the district : For establishment of mini Soil Testing Lab upto a maximum project cost of Rs. 10 lakhs. Financial assistance @80% of the project cost will be provided for such labs for purchase of machinery & equipment, chemicals & glass wares, miscellaneous laboratory articles and contingencies b. For Village entrepreneur (18 40 age group), Input Retailers: Financial assistance @40% of the project cost of Rs.10.00 lakh will be provided to Village entrepreneur (18 40 age group) for Establishment of mini soil testing lab, for purchase of machinery & equipment, chemicals & glass wares, miscellaneous laboratory articles and contingencies. 7. Funding pattern: Under this Scheme, subsidy will be shared between Government of India and States in the ratio of 90:10 for NER including Himalyana States and 60 :40 for other states. 8. Fund flow mechanism for establishment of mini labs: INM Division will release grant- in- aid to State. The DLEC will receive funds from State Nodal Deptt for implementation of the programme. Similarly NCOF will release funds NABARD under CISS. In case of credit requirement application may be forwarded by DLEC to lead bank for providing NABARD subsidy. 4
9. Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) i) The State Government and other designated implementing agencies, to the extent possible, will ensure active participation of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the implementation of this Scheme. 10. Monitoring: District Agriculture Officer will be responsible for monitoring of the projects as it is to be implemented under his guidance and targets / time table is fixed by him. 11. Impact Assessment, Periodic Evaluation and Reporting DAC&FW will evaluate efficacy of this Scheme on a Two or Three yearly basis through a third party. The agency will assess the efficacy, performance, outcome and shortcomings of the scheme and recommend suitable corrective measures. Information and communication technology will be deployed extensively for ensuring transparency in the implementation process and effective monitoring of the programme. 12. Expected Outcome It will promote balanced and judicious use of plant nutrients. The demand for organic sources of plant nutrient like bio-fertilizers, organic manure, vermi-compost, slow release nitrogenous fertilizer like neem/sulphur coated urea will increase, which in turn improve the soil fertility as well nutrient use efficiency. 13. Training of Beneficiary: The training programme to be organized for STL Beneficiary on Importance of Soil testing in Soil Fertility Management; Sampling Methodology; Testing protocols; Interpretation of soil test results and calculation of nutrient requirement; Cropping system based nutrient management & Importance of balanced nutrition on productivity and quality of produce and soil health maintenance etc. 14. Basic Considerations: The financial assistance @ Rs. 4000/- per trainee per week shall be provided to the institutions identified for training of farmers which includes stipend of Rs. 500/- per farmer per week of training, to and fro travel expenses by ordinary mode of transport in ordinary class with a maximum of Rs. 500/- per farmer, Boarding and Lodging Charges @ Rs. 1500/- per farmer per week and 5
Institutional charges (including stationary, training material, honorarium) @ Rs. 1500/- per farmer per week. The institutions identified for training should have adequate infrastructure/machinery and equipments for organizing the training programmes. (iii) (iv) (v) Once the institution is identified for the training, the training calendar for the year shall be prepared by the institution for wider circulation. State Government shall ensure that 16% beneficiaries under the scheme shall belong to SC category, 8% to ST category and 30% women as per Government of India guidelines. The Annual Audited Statement of account together with the certificate of actual utilization of the grants received by the implementing agency shall be submitted to the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation within one month of the expiry of the financial year i.e. 30 th April of the subsequent year. No fresh funds will be released unless the Utilization Certificate for the earlier releases is submitted by the implementing agency. 15. Financial Structure of the project of soil testing up to 3000 samples per annum: Item Details Cost Purchase of machinery & equipment, chemicals & 1. Mini lab with accessories Rs.6.50 lakh glass wares, miscellaneous laboratory articles. Purchase of IT equipments 1.Computer, 2. Printer, 3. Scanner, 4. Hand held Device Contingency Expenditure 1. Remuneration to Computer Operator/ staff, 2. Purchase of Cartridge, 3.Purchase of fuel, 4. Electricity & water supply Bill, 5. Broad band/telephone Charges, 6. Stationary, 7. Annual Maintenance Cost (AMC) Rs.1.00 lakh Rs.2.00 Transportation Motor Bike Rs.0.50 lakh Total cost of the project Rs.10.00 lakh 6
16. Sample Collection and Testing Charges applicable: Sample collection, testing & generation of soil health card Rs 190/ sample 17. Total Annual cost S.No. Item / Activity For SHG, FPOs, For individual etc @ 80% village youth @ 40% 1. Setting of Lab 8.00 4.00 2. Sample collection / testing 5.70 5.70 charges & soil health card generation (@ Rs 190 x 3000 samples) 3. Training @ Rs 4000 per 0.04 0.04 trainee Total 13.74 9.74 (Rs in lakh) Total cost for 2000 units 1000 SHGs, FPOs,etc & 1000 village youth Total 13740.00 9740.00 23480.00 GOI share Assuming 750 units in NE & 4637.25 3287.25 7924.50 Himalayan States(90:10 sharing) And 1250 units in other 5152.50 3652.50 8805.00 States (60:40 sharing) Total 9789.75 6939.75 16729.50 States share NE & Himalayan States 515.25 365.25 880.50 (90:10 sharing) Other States 3435.00 2435.00 5870.00 (60:40 sharing) Total 3950.25 2800.25 6750.50 18. Procedure for Approval & Fund Flow Mechanism of testing charges: a) Funds would be released to the beneficiary in two Installments.50 % on the registration on the portal and 50% after delivery of SHC to farmers. b) The bank account of the beneficiary should be linked to the soil health portal. 19. Other Information: The project may include almost all the basic equipment necessary for soil sampling, registration, testing result generation, printing and distribution of soil health card. 7