Haryana launches Soil Health Card 2.0, aiming to cover every farmer by 2025, enhancing soil testing and sustainable farming. The upgraded scheme offers digital access, precise nutrient analysis, and tailored crop advice to boost yields and reduce costs. With 14 lakh farmers targeted, the initiative promotes eco-friendly practices amid growing concerns over soil degradation.
Haryana’s Soil Health Card 2.0 Initiative to Transform Agriculture
On June 18, 2025, the Haryana government launched the ambitious Soil Health Card (SHC) 2.0 scheme, targeting every farmer in the state to promote sustainable agriculture and improve crop productivity. The upgraded program builds on the success of the original Soil Health Card Scheme, introduced in 2015, by integrating advanced digital tools and precise soil testing to provide customized farming solutions. With Haryana’s agricultural sector contributing significantly to India’s food security, this initiative aims to address the alarming decline in soil health, particularly in regions like Punjab and Haryana, where intensive farming has depleted soil organic carbon (SOC).
The SHC 2.0 scheme ensures that all 14 lakh farmers in Haryana receive detailed soil health reports by the end of 2025. Unlike its predecessor, which conducted soil testing every three years, the new version offers biennial testing, leveraging mobile soil testing vans and AI-driven analytics for faster and more accurate results. Each card provides comprehensive data on soil nutrient levels, pH balance, and micronutrient deficiencies, along with tailored recommendations for fertilizers and crop choices. Farmers can access their reports via the APAIMS 2.0 platform, inspired by Andhra Pradesh’s digital agriculture model, which uses AI and machine learning for real-time advisories.
The initiative comes at a critical time, as recent reports highlight a sharp decline in SOC levels across India, from 2–3% to 0.4–0.7% over the past seven decades. In Haryana, where high-yield variety seeds and chemical fertilizers have driven productivity, soil degradation threatens long-term sustainability. The state’s Agriculture Department has set up 50 new soil testing labs and deployed 100 mobile testing units to ensure accessibility, especially for small and marginal farmers who constitute over 80% of the state’s farming community.
Haryana’s Agriculture Minister emphasized the scheme’s role in reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers, which aligns with the Centre’s push to cut urea supply by 50% to promote green manure. The minister noted that SHC 2.0 will encourage natural farming practices, such as intercropping and organic inputs, to restore soil fertility. The program also integrates with the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, a national campaign to educate farmers on modern techniques and curb the use of substandard pesticides.
To ensure widespread adoption, the government is conducting awareness campaigns through Raita Samparka Kendras and digital platforms. Farmers in districts like Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Hisar, known for high agricultural output, have already begun receiving their cards. The scheme also addresses regional disparities by prioritizing rain-dependent areas, where soil health issues are compounded by water scarcity. By linking SHC 2.0 with e-market platforms, the government aims to improve farmers’ bargaining power and reduce reliance on middlemen.
Challenges remain, including limited awareness and infrastructure gaps in remote areas. Agricultural experts stress the need for stronger advisory services to help farmers interpret soil test results and access recommended inputs, as government cooperatives often lack key micronutrients. Despite these hurdles, SHC 2.0 is poised to transform Haryana’s agricultural landscape, ensuring sustainable yields and economic stability for its farmers.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government announcements, agricultural reports, and recent trends in soil health initiatives as of July 5, 2025. Data is sourced from credible publications like The Hindu, The Economic Times, and government portals. Readers are advised to verify details with official sources for the latest updates.