Nashik: The state agriculture department distributed 5.20 lakh soil health cards (SHC) in North Maharashtra till December 31 after conducting soil tests.The maximum number of such cards, amounting to 3.17 lakh, have been distributed in Nashik district alone, followed by 91,796 cards in Jalgaon, 88,411 in Dhule and 22,553 in Nandurbar districts.Samples tests were held in total 32 labs in North Maharashtra, including 15 in Nashik, 8 in Dhule, 7 in Jalgaon and 2 in Nandurbar districts. One sample was taken for 2.5-hectare area.The SHC scheme was introduced by the government, aiming to promote soil test-based and balanced use of fertilizers, so that the farmer get higher yields at lower cost.“We have undertaken a drive to test soil sample of farms in Nashik division. Comprehensive testing of soil samples, on 12 parameters, is being carried out under the scheme. After soil testing, we give soil health cards and suggest measures to be taken by the farmers to enrich the soil,” said an agriculture department official.In 2017-18, the agriculture department had distributed total 5.25 lakh soil health cards in North Maharashtra, including 2,67,620 in Nashik district, 1,58,851 in Jalgaon, 75,051 in Dhule and 24,054 in Nandurbar district.The agriculture department had distributed maximum 9.04 lakh soil health cards in North Maharashtra in 2016-17.The Union government launched the comprehensive ‘soil health card’ scheme in 2014 after taking note of deteriorating soil health.

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