Farmers Perception of the Soil Health Card Scheme in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

The Soil Health Card (SHC) is a government initiative that provides farmers with soil nutrient information to guide the use of fertilizers and improve soil health. The perception of farmers plays a crucial role in the effective implementation of agricultural schemes. The study was conducted in Bilaspur district, Chhattisgarh, where the Deputy Director of Agriculture implemented the SHC scheme in the Bilha, Kota, Masturi, and Takhatpur blocks during its initial and second phases. These blocks were selected purposively, and villages within them were chosen randomly. A list of SHC beneficiary farmers was compiled, and 30 farmers from each block were randomly selected, totaling 120 participants. Data collection was done through personal interviews using a pre-structured schedule to assess farmers' perceptions of the SHC's utility. The study examined both independent and dependent variables, with data analysis techniques such as descriptive statistics and inferential methods used to explore the factors influencing farmers' perceptions, including education, exposure to mass media, and scientific orientation. The results indicated that 95.83% of farmers had a medium to high level of perception regarding the usefulness of SHC. This positive perception can be attributed to their educational background (secondary level and above), moderate exposure to mass media, and a medium level of scientific orientation. The study highlights that awareness, access to information, and a scientific approach significantly influence farmers' perception of the SHC scheme, emphasizing the need for continued efforts in knowledge dissemination and training to enhance its impact.