Extent of Adoption of Soil Health Card Based Recommendations and Soil Sampling Procedures in Karimnagar District of Telangana State, India

Abstract

The Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme, launched by the Government of India in 2015, aims to promote balanced fertilization and improve soil health through site-specific nutrient management recommendations. This study was conducted in Karimnagar district of Telangana State to assess the extent of adoption of soil health card based recommendations and soil sampling procedures among farmers. An ex post facto research design was used for the study. A sample of 120 farmers was selected through proportionate random sampling technique from 24 villages. The findings revealed that majority of the farmers (55.8%) had medium level of adoption of SHC recommendations, while 25.8% exhibited low adoption and 18.4% showed high adoption. Among the various practices, zigzag pattern for soil sample collection (MS=2.53) ranked first, followed by collection of samples in non-chemical bags (MS=2.41) and basal application of phosphatic fertilizers (MS=2.34). The study identified significant positive relationships between adoption and education (r=0.452**), training undergone (r=0.497**), extension contact (r=0.534**), scientific orientation (r=0.468**) and innovativeness (r=0.443**). The major constraints included lack of pre-seasonal training, difficulty in understanding SHC recommendations and apprehensions regarding reduced yields. The study recommends strengthening extension activities, conducting regular training programmes and simplifying SHC information to enhance adoption among farming communities. These findings highlight the need for policy-driven capacity building and farmer-centric extension strategies to ensure effective utilization of Soil Health Cards and sustainable soil management.