Impact of Soil Testing Programme on Knowledge and Attitude of the Farmers of Kaushambi district

Soil is the most precious gift of nature. So any kind of torture on it is a sin. Healthy Soils can provide healthy crops. To protect soil health and for sustainable agriculture, the Government of India launched Soil Health Cards (SHC) Scheme in February 2015. A SHC is meant to give each and every farmer of our country, soil nutrient status of his holding and advise him on the dosage of fertilizers and micronutrient and also the needed soil amendments that he should apply to maintain soil health in the long run. For the present study 360 farmers were sampled from Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh. The results showed that soil health card scheme is providing effective helpline facilities and relevant and need based information might have enhanced more knowledge than non beneficiaries. It was also found that soil health card scheme is providing effective helpline facilities and relevant and need based information might have enhanced more favourable attitude towards soil testing practices than non beneficiaries. As the farmers in the sample area received the Soil Health Cards a bit late and could not go with the Recommended Dose of Fertilizer as yet, proper evaluation of the scheme in Uttar Pradesh could not be undertaken in the true sense of the term. It was found that soil health card scheme is providing effective helpline facilities and relevant and need based information might have enhanced more knowledge than non beneficiaries. It was also found that soil health card scheme is providing effective helpline facilities and relevant and need based information might have enhanced more favourable attitude towards soil testing practices than non beneficiaries. An assessment of this flagship programme can be carried out in the next crop season if timely measures in the line as indicated above, are taken by implementing with all sincerity in a mission mode.