In a significant stride toward enhancing agricultural education, over 5,000 students from 250 schools in 20 states have been trained in soil-testing skills as part of the School Soil Health Program, spearheaded by NABFOUNDATION.
This initiative, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has introduced advanced soil testing labs to more than 700 schools, with plans to expand to 1,000 schools. The program is playing a critical role in integrating agrotech into rural education and promoting sustainable farming practices.
The PUSA-STFR Meter Kit, a pivotal tool in this programme, is a user-friendly digital device authorized under the Government of India’s Soil Health Card mission. This compact lab performs comprehensive soil analysis by testing 14 parameters, providing fertilizer recommendations for over 100 crops. It also features an in-built thermal printer to generate Soil Health Cards and can transmit soil testing reports via Bluetooth and USB, making it a versatile and accessible tool for students.
School Soil Health Programme
The School Soil Health Program, a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), the Department of School Education and Literacy, ICAR and various State Governments, aims to foster soil health awareness and sustainable agricultural practices among students.
Initially implemented in 20 rural schools, including Kendriya Vidyalaya and Navodaya Vidyalaya, the programme has now expanded to 1,000 schools, including Eklavya Model Schools. The initiative involves practical training where students collect soil samples, perform tests using the mini labs and generate Soil Health Cards. They then visit local farmers to share their findings and recommendations, bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and practical application.
In this programme, students learn about the soil biodiversity, which helps them think better, solve problems and understand how nature works together. The program also teaches students about sustainable farming, the impact of human activity on soil health and the importance of preserving the ecosystems.
