Question 49 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Current
Affairs

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. The nation-wide 'Soil Health Card Scheme' aims at expanding the cultivable area under irrigation.
2. Enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality.
3. Checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 3 only

Strategy: Identify the primary purpose of the Soil Health Card Scheme, which is to provide farmers with soil quality information. Match this purpose to the option about preventing fertilizer overuse. Eliminate any options that describe unrelated objectives, such as expanding irrigation or influencing bank loan assessments.

Key Info: The Soil Health Card Scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2015 as a flagship initiative to address declining soil fertility and imbalanced fertilizer use in Indian agriculture. Under the scheme, soil samples from farms are tested for key parameters such as pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), micronutrients, and organic carbon. Based on these tests, individual farmers are issued Soil Health Cards recommending specific crop- and field-appropriate fertilizer dosages and soil amendment practices.

**Key objectives include:**
- Checking the indiscriminate and excessive use of fertilizers by providing tailored, scientific recommendations.
- Promoting balanced nutrient management for improving soil health and sustainability.
- Enhancing awareness among farmers about soil testing and management.

The scheme does not aim to expand irrigated area or directly enable banks to assess loan quantum based on soil quality. While improved soil health may have indirect long-term implications for productivity or creditworthiness, these are not explicit objectives or provisions of the scheme. The Soil Health Card is primarily an informational tool aimed at responsible and efficient fertilizer use, dovetailing with broader government targets for agricultural sustainability. It is implemented by the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation and launched in phases across all states and union territories.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: 2 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3