Despite working hard, spending a lot of money on fertilizers, water and seeds, many times the crop does not grow well. One of the reasons for this is the deterioration of soil health. Just as blood tests are necessary to keep the human body healthy, soil health tests are necessary to be successful in agriculture. In this blog, we will know why soil health tests are important, how to do them, and where to do them.

What does soil health mean?

Soil health refers to the soil’s:

  • Amount of nutrients (NPK, Sulfur, Zinc, etc.)
  • Acidity or alkalinity (pH)
  • Organic matter
  • Water holding capacity and structure
  • Only when these are in place can plants grow faster and yield more.

Why is soil health testing important?

1. For proper fertilizer use

Many people apply too much fertilizer without realizing it, which damages the soil. Testing the soil can help you understand how much fertilizer is needed.

2. To increase crop yield

If you apply the right crops and fertilizers according to the soil, the yield increases by 15-25%.

What is meant by soil health?

Soil health refers to the soil’s:

  1. Amount of nutrients (NPK, Sulfur, Zinc, etc.)
  2. Acidity or alkalinity (pH)
  3. Organic matter
  4. Water holding capacity and structure
  5. Only when these are correct can plants grow faster and yield more.

Why is soil health testing important?

1. For proper fertilizer use

Many people apply too much fertilizer without realizing it, which damages the soil. Testing the soil can help you understand how much fertilizer is needed.

2. To increase crop yield

If you apply the right crops and fertilizers according to the soil, the yield increases by 15-25%.

What are the things tested?

The following elements are usually tested in soil sample testing:

Element / Factor Role / Importance
N (Nitrogen) Supports plant leaves and overall growth
P (Phosphorus) Promotes strong roots and flowers/fruit
K (Potassium) Helps in disease prevention and improves fruit quality
pH Determines soil acidity or alkalinity
Organic Carbon Improves soil organic quality
Sulfur (S) Supports overall plant health and metabolism
Zinc (Zn) Aids in enzyme function and growth
Boron (B) Essential for reproduction and overall plant health

Where to get soil tested?

1. Government Soil Testing Lab

There is a soil laboratory under the Agriculture Department of each district. Soil Health Card is issued from there.
→ You can send soil samples from the land by contacting the Agriculture Office.

2. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK)

Soil testing is done at KVK for free or at a nominal cost.

→ Training also teaches sample collection methods.

3. Mobile Soil Testing Van

It collects soil in different blocks and gives a report. If you know in time, you can provide a sample of your land.

4. Private labs / app-based services

Many people now get the facility of soil testing through DeHaat, Agrostar, Krishify, AgriBazaar apps.

How to collect soil samples?

  • Collect soil from a depth of 15–20 cm from four-five places of the land.
  • Dry and mix well, select about 0.5 kg of soil.
  • Fill it in a clean polythene bag and submit it with your name, land details, and village name.
  • Testing should be done once a year or once every two years.

What will be in the report?

  • Amount of nutrients (low/medium/high)
  • pH value
  • Which fertilizer, how much to give — detailed guidelines

Conclusion

“Good soil, good harvest” — this saying is not just a proverb, it is a real truth.
Soil health testing helps farmers understand how to produce more at less cost. This is important not only for yield but also to maintain the long-term quality of the soil.

Farmers in West Bengal should get their soil tested regularly and move forward with science-based farming.

Special Tip:

Find out the sample submission and report collection times from your local Agricultural Support Officer or Grameen Krishi Bandhu Kendra.

Information is also available on the official website of Soil Health Card India: https://soilhealth.dac.gov.in