Govt mulls making soil health cards must for availing farm scheme benefits

The Centre is also looking at a proposal to give 1% cashback on fertiliser purchase

The Centre is looking at a proposal to make possession of soil health cards (SHCs) mandatory for getting benefits under schemes of the agriculture ministry.

Officials said a proposal to this effect was earlier discussed at a brainstorming session on SHCs and was also taken up at the annual kharif conference.

If approved, this could also include availing of benefits under PM-KISAN, wherein the government allocates Rs 6,000 per annum to small and marginal farmers. The Bharatiya Janata Party had promised in its manifesto the extension of the scheme to every farmer. The government is also examining a proposal to