Lucknow, May 4 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government is set to launch a large-scale soil sample collection drive, which targets collecting 11.56 lakh soil samples for the upcoming Kharif season, on Monday as part of the Soil Health Card Scheme, official sources said here on Sunday.

Sources said that according to the Agriculture Department, the scheme aims to saturate 16,520 gram panchayats across the state by 2025.

"Out of these, 70 percent of soil samples will be collected during the Kharif season from 11,564 panchayats, while the remaining 30 percent will be covered in the Rabi season," they said.

Sources further said that the campaign will see participation from regional extension workers, laboratory officials and scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras, all under the supervision of senior nodal officers.

Sources said that for the first time, 7,684 trained 'Krishi Sakhis' from 50 districts have been engaged in the sample collection process. "Each Sakhi will receive Rs 15 per sample as an honorarium. So far,, 3.60 lakh samples have already been collected. Testing has revealed deficiencies in organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potash, sulfur, zinc and iron in the soil," they said.

Sources also said that the farmers will be provided with free Soil Health Cards based on 12 key parameters, enabling them to apply fertilisers more scientifically and increase crop yield through balanced nutrient management. "All data related to soil samples is available online on the Soil Health Card portal (https:oilhealth.dac.gov.in/)," they said.

Sources said that under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, 4,850 gram panchayats were covered in 2023 and 8,260 in 2024. "This year, all 16,520 gram panchayats are being targeted. From each panchayat, 100 soil samples will be collected. In the Rabi season alone, 4.96 lakh samples will be taken from 4,956 panchayats," they added.

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