Soil Fertility Mapping
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: PIB
Context: The Soil & Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) has generated digital soil fertility maps for 351 villages across 34 districts in Maharashtra using geospatial techniques.
• This initiative, under the Soil Health & Fertility Scheme, aims to enhance soil productivity and optimize fertilizer use.
About Soil Fertility Mapping:
What is Soil Fertility Mapping?
• It is a scientific method of assessing and visualizing soil nutrient composition across different regions.
• Uses geospatial techniques, remote sensing, and AI-based tools to generate precise soil health data.
Benefits of Soil Fertility Mapping
• Precision Agriculture: Helps farmers identify nutrient deficiencies and surpluses. Enables targeted fertilizer application for better crop yield.
• Enables targeted fertilizer application for better crop yield.
• Cost-Efficient Farming: Reduces overuse and underuse of fertilizers, optimizing costs. Enhances soil productivity and economic returns for farmers.
• Enhances soil productivity and economic returns for farmers.
• Improved Soil Health Management: Encourages integrated nutrient management (INM). Promotes organic manures and bio-fertilizers for sustainable farming.
• Promotes organic manures and bio-fertilizers for sustainable farming.
• Environmental Sustainability: Minimizes soil degradation and nutrient depletion. Reduces chemical runoff and groundwater contamination.
• Reduces chemical runoff and groundwater contamination.
• Empowering Farmers: Soil Health Cards (SHC) provide customized recommendations. Farmers can download SHC data using mobile-based services.
• Farmers can download SHC data using mobile-based services.
Key Features of The Soil Fertility Mapping Project:
• Digital Mapping & Data Collection: Soil samples are collected and analysed for pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, and micronutrients (zinc, copper, iron, manganese, boron). Each soil sample is geo-coded using GPS and assigned a unique QR Code for tracking.
• Each soil sample is geo-coded using GPS and assigned a unique QR Code for tracking.
• Use of Geospatial & AI-Based Tools: Remote sensing and GIS mapping are integrated for high-accuracy data analysis. AI-powered predictive modeling assists in nutrient management strategies.
• AI-powered predictive modeling assists in nutrient management strategies.
• Overcoming Challenges: Village-level mini soil testing labs are deployed in remote and hilly areas. Digital platforms enable farmers to access soil fertility reports via mobile numbers.
• Digital platforms enable farmers to access soil fertility reports via mobile numbers.
• Nationwide Implementation: The Soil Health & Fertility Scheme is available across all States & Union Territories. SLUSI works under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to promote scientific soil management.
• SLUSI works under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare to promote scientific soil management.