Soil nutrient deficiency in India received renewed attention after the Centre for Science and Environment assessed government Soil Health Card data in October 2025. It reported that 64% of tested samples were low in nitrogen and 48.5% were low in organic carbon. These findings matter because crop nutrition depends on both available nutrients and the soil’s ability to retain water, support roots and recycle organic material.
The policy question is more demanding than whether farmers purchase enough fertiliser: do testing, input supply and agricultural advice together improve the condition and productivity of their fields?
What the CSE assessment actually measured
CSE’s report, Sustainable Food Systems: An Agenda for Climate-Risked Times, examined Soil Health Card dashboard information, including about 1.3 crore samples tested during 2023–25. Its findings describe the samples in that dataset. They do not establish that exactly 64% of India’s agricultural land is nitrogen deficient.
Sampling locations, depth, season, laboratory methods and the balance between regions affect interpretation. A heavily sampled district contributes more observations than a sparsely sampled one. Comparisons over time also require comparable samples; a changing collection of farms cannot automatically reveal deterioration within the same fields.
The 12 Soil Health Card parameters
The scheme was launched on 19 February 2015 at Suratgarh in Rajasthan. Its cards communicate test results and recommendations for fertilisers and soil amendments. Since 2022–23, soil health activities have been incorporated within the Soil Health and Fertility component of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
| Group | Parameters | What they help assess |
|---|---|---|
| Major nutrients | Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium | Important components of crop nutrient supply |
| Secondary nutrient | Sulphur | A nutrient required in larger amounts than micronutrients |
| Micronutrients | Zinc, iron, copper, manganese, boron | Elements needed in small quantities but essential for growth |
| Other chemical indicators | pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon | Acidity or alkalinity, soluble salts and an indicator of organic matter |
A low result is useful only when interpreted against the crop, soil type and local recommendation. The same fertiliser schedule should not be prescribed to every field simply because a national assessment identifies a widespread problem.
Why nitrogen and organic carbon are different
Nitrogen supports plant growth, including the production of proteins. Organic carbon measures carbon within soil organic material; it is not interchangeable with the amount of plant-available nitrogen. A field may need improved nutrient supply and better organic matter management simultaneously.
Soil organic matter contributes to aggregation, water retention and the habitat of organisms that decompose residues and cycle nutrients. However, organic carbon alone cannot describe every soil function. A compacted field may still restrict root penetration or water entry even when a nutrient test appears satisfactory.
The US Department of Agriculture’s soil health framework consequently treats soil as a functioning living system. Maintaining cover, living roots and biological diversity, while limiting unnecessary disturbance, helps protect several functions together.
What a fuller soil assessment should include
Chemical measurements can be complemented by observations of infiltration, compaction, aggregate stability and biological activity. These answer different questions: can rainfall enter the soil, can roots explore it, and can organisms process organic material? Expanding indicators should improve farm decisions rather than create an expensive testing exercise with no follow-up.
Consider two hypothetical farms with similarly low nitrogen results. One loses nutrients through runoff from an exposed slope; the other has poor drainage and restricted roots. Supplying an identical additional input to both would overlook the different constraints. Advice should connect the laboratory report with field inspection.
Priorities for restoration and delivery
- Translate tests into action: provide understandable, crop-specific advice and access to the recommended inputs before the season begins.
- Combine nutrient sources carefully: use locally appropriate fertilisers, suitable organic amendments and crop rotations according to nutrient requirements.
- Protect the soil surface: address erosion, residue management and water movement alongside nutrient deficiencies.
- Check results: compare consistent sampling locations and record yields, input expenditure and soil indicators across seasons.
For district administration, the useful performance measure is whether recommendations improve outcomes, not merely how many cards are printed. Farmer demonstrations and accessible extension support can bridge that gap. Read the related explanation of natural and organic farming for the differences between farming approaches.
Frequently asked questions
1. Does the assessment prove fertilisers never improve soil?
No. Aggregate patterns do not establish the effect of every fertiliser practice. The relevant questions are nutrient balance, application efficiency and the field’s wider condition.
2. Which syllabus areas does this topic cover?
GS III agriculture, land degradation, sustainable resource management and the implementation of farmer support programmes.
