The Soil Health Card Scheme in India: Lessons Learned and Challenges for Replication in Other Developing Countries

ABSTRACT This article assesses the design, process flow, and impact of the Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme in India, which was introduced in 2015. Under this scheme, government mechanisms distribute SHCs to each farmer. The article examines the scheme using a nationally representative sample of farmers in 2017. Awareness of the SHC scheme among the farmers was high at 82%, but only 66% were able to understand the recommendations, and only 48% followed the recommended rate of fertilizer application. Literacy rates, irrigated area, contact with extension workers, subsidized micronutrients, and the infrastructure index had a positive influence on use of SHCs. The farmers benefited through optimal use of fertilizers and reduced cost of production. To replicate similar schemes in other developing countries, they have to enhance state capabilities in terms of soil sample collection and testing with the latest technologies such as GPS-enabled tablets and mass testing, along with better fertilizer subsidy policies.