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Message

Soil is a non-renewable precious natural resource that is vital to food security and economic
development. In fact, the very survival and well-being of mankind is inseparably linked with the
health of soil. In India, most of the agriculturally suitable land is already under cultivation with
hardly any scope for horizontal expansion. Over the years, increasing population and intensification
of agriculture have put immense pressure on land, leading to its degradation in many ways. Lack of
awareness of the soil health status and inadequate, and at times indiscriminate, use of plant nutrients
are some of the important causes of soil health deterioration. Regular monitoring of soil health and
effective remediation of the ailments, if any with the adoption of scientific recommendations,
therefore, assume great significance. Realizing the importance of soil resource towards sustainable
agriculture, present Government gave top priority to soil health management, and launched “Soil
Health Card Scheme” during the International Year of Soils-2015 with a mandate to provide “Soil
Health Card” to all farm holdings across the country.

I am happy to learn that the scientists of ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Micro and
Secondary Nutrients and Pollutant Elements are bringing out an e-book containing micro and
secondary nutrients deficiency maps up to taluka/block level for entire country. Site-specific
management options are also suggested in this e-publication. In view of widespread deficiencies of
these nutrients in Indian soils, the information provided would be highly useful in imparting
knowledge about soil fertility status and promoting precise fertilizer application, thus strengthening
the ongoing initiative of doubling farm income by 2022.

I congratulate the scientists associated and look for wider adoption of the recommendations
contained in the e-publication.