RKVYSHFVLSTL
RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab
6.7/10In order to promote soil test analysis in a campaign mode and to create awareness among farmers about soil health for judicious use of chemical fertilisers, organic manure, the component of “Setting of Village-level Soil Testing Laboratories” is being implemented under the scheme.
States / UT: All India
Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Nodal department: Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Scheme for: Individual
Scheme profile
DBT (direct benefit transfer): No
Scheme open date: 2015-01-01
Categories: Agriculture,Rural & Environment
Sub-categories: Soil health, Financial assistance
Target beneficiaries: Individual, Self Help Groups (SHGS), Business Entity
Tags: Soil Testing Lab, Soil Health, INM, Rural Entrepreneur, RKVY
Details
Village level labs can be set up by rural youth, village-level entrepreneurs, including SHGs set up under The Rural Awareness Works Experience (RAWE) programme, Krishi Sakhis, students of government schools, and agriculture graduates from SAUs, PACS, etc. The labs should be operated by local youth.
Under the scheme, a one-time financial assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh will be given for establishment of VLSTL.
S. No,ComponentCost (Rs. lakhs)1Soil testing with reagents & sample shaker machine with machine and AMC for one year1.002Distilled water, pH meter, Conductivity meter, Electronic balance, Glass-ware, filter-papers, and other need-based consumables0.50Total1.50
Payment to VLSTLs will be made through DBT mode (provision is to be done by state).
The key objectives of the Mission are as follows:
• Provide easy access to soil testing facilities for farmers at the grassroot level, and offer affordable soil testing to farmers without the need for traveling long distances.
• Provide farmers with timely and accurate soil analysis results to enable them to make informed decision regarding fertiliser application and soil management practices.
• Facilitate customized soil nutrient recommendations based on test results
• Increase farmers’ awareness about soil health and the importance of soil testing.
• Enable farmers to optimize their fertiliser use and minimise input costs, and hence avoid under- or over- application
• Facilitate long-term soil health monitoring and planning
• Enable collection of soil data at local level. This data may be used for conducting studies, formulating policies, developing region-specific agricultural interventions.
• Increase employment at village level
• Strengthen soil testing laboratories in the country
Benefits
- The scheme targets to provide following benefits: 1) Provide affordable access to soil test 2) Provide farmers with timely and accurate soil analysis results 3) Facilitate customized soil nutrient recommendations based on test results 4) Enable farmers to optimize their fertiliser use and minimise input costs, and hence avoid under- or over- application 5) Increase awareness among farmers regarding soil health and importance of soil testing 6) Aid data gathering and enable decision-making region-specific policy formulation 7) Accelerate employment generation among rural youth 8) Strengthen soil testing infrastructure in the country
The scheme targets to provide following benefits:
- Provide affordable access to soil test
- Provide farmers with timely and accurate soil analysis results
- Facilitate customized soil nutrient recommendations based on test results
- Enable farmers to optimize their fertiliser use and minimise input costs, and hence avoid under- or over- application
- Increase awareness among farmers regarding soil health and importance of soil testing
- Aid data gathering and enable decision-making region-specific policy formulation
- Accelerate employment generation among rural youth
- Strengthen soil testing infrastructure in the country
Eligibility
- The Age of the applicant should be between 18 to 27 years
- The Educational Qualification of the applicant should be 10th pass with science and knowledge of computer
- The applicant / entrepreneur group should have their own premises / rented building with lease agreement for atleast four years.
How useful is this scheme?
A practical look at this scheme for citizens
AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.
- Accessibility7.0
- Financial impact6.0
- Rural utility9.0
- Awareness7.5
- Simplicity3.0
- Inclusivity6.0
What problem does this scheme solve?
The scheme aims to enhance soil health awareness and testing facilities in rural areas, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Key challenges addressed
- Lack of access to soil testing facilities
- Need for informed fertilizer application
Most beneficial for
- Rural youth
- Self Help Groups (SHGs)
- Agriculture graduates
Likely challenges
- Awareness about the scheme among potential beneficiaries
- Initial setup costs and maintenance of labs
Practical insights for citizens
Practical for rural youth but may require additional support for effective implementation
Rural challenges
- Limited awareness about soil health
- Access to training and resources
Digital challenges
- Low digital literacy among rural youth
Implementation bottlenecks
- Delay in fund disbursement
- Verification process may be lengthy
Awareness challenges
- Farmers may not be aware of the benefits of soil testing
Application analysis
- Application mode
- Offline office
- Documents burden
- Minimal, no specific documents required
- Verification complexity
- Moderate, involves multiple steps
- Office dependency
- High, requires interaction with local authorities
- DBT dependency
- Yes, payment through DBT
- CSC support
- Limited
- Estimated citizen effort
- Moderate, requires time for application and setup
Estimated beneficiary reach
Benefit analysis
- Benefit type
- Cash
- Benefit frequency
- One-time financial assistance
- Benefit practicality
- High, as it provides necessary funds for lab setup
- Financial meaningfulness
- Moderate, as ₹1.5 lakh can significantly aid in establishing a lab
- Long-term impact
- Positive, as it can lead to improved soil health and agricultural productivity
Plain-language guidance
This scheme helps rural youth set up soil testing labs to improve farming practices. It provides financial support and training to ensure farmers can test their soil easily.
- Who should apply
- Young entrepreneurs, SHGs, and agriculture graduates.
- Who may struggle
- Individuals without a science background or computer knowledge.
- Best application route
- Apply through local agricultural offices or community centers.
This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.
Application Process
Offline
Step 01: Identification of individual beneficiary i.e. village level young entrepreneur and community based beneficiaries i.e., PACS, SHGs, School, Agriculture University, etc., in a transparent and time-bound manner
Step 02: Identification of premises for establishment of VLSTL
Step 03: Verification of proof of procure land equipment / inputs.
Step 04: SLEC will finalise the entrepreneur’s proposals received from the District Level Executive Committee (DLEC). The entire procedure will take maximum one month.
Step 05: State government will release financial assistance to entrepreneurs within a week after approval of application
Step 06: Entrepreneurs after receiving fund will submit receipts of procurement of lab equipment, consumables, etc. to DLEC within 15 days
Clarifications
Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).
- Will necessary training be provided to entrepreneur after setting up VLSTL?
Yes, training programme will be organised by state government and manufacturer for beneficiary entrepreneur. Training will include topics such as how to collect sample using mobile application, sampling methodology, how to run tests, maintenance of machines, how to use consumables, and how to generate Soil Health Cards using test results through SHC portal.
- How will awareness be generated among farmers regarding SHC?
Entrepreneurs will be trained for awareness generation of farmers about fertiliser use and crop recommendation based on Soil health Card.
- On what basis will VLSTL provide recommendations?
VLSTL will generate customised soil nutrient recommendations based on analysis results. By considering the specific nutrient requirements of different crops and the nutrient levels in the soil, these labs provide farmers with recommendations for fertiliser application.
- Are there any additional incentives for certain genders, or certain caste/minority farmers?
No, the scheme treats all farmers as equal,
- Can village level STLs be set up by SHGs?
Yes, VLSTLs can be set up by SHGs under The Rural Awareness Works Experience (RAWE) programme, Krishi Sakhis, students of government schools, and agriculture graduates from SAUs, PACS, etc. The labs should be operated by local youth.
- Is there a minimum education requirement for the entrepreneur setting up the VLSTL?
Yes, the applicant should be 10th pass with science and knowledge of computer
- How much time will the approval from SLEC take?
SLEC will finalise the entrepreneur's proposals received from the District Level Executive Committee (DLEC). The entire procedure will take maximum one month.
- Post approval from SLEC, how much time will it take for release of funds?
State government will release financial assistance to entrepreneurs within a week after approval of application
- When should the entrepreneur submit bills/receipts of procurement?
Entrepreneurs after receiving fund will submit receipts of procurement of lab equipment, consumables, etc. to DLEC within 15 days
Official links
References
- Guidelines
- https://agriwelfare.gov.in/sites/default/files/guide_soil.pdf
- Website
- https://www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in/home
Apply
Apply nowOpens the official application or programme portal in a new tab. If in doubt, confirm details on the ministry site.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the purpose of RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab is a government welfare initiative designed to support Individual, Individual, Self Help Groups (SHGS), Business Entity through benefits related to Agriculture,Rural & Environment, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
- Who can apply for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Eligibility for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
- What benefits are offered under RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Benefits under RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
- Which department manages RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab is managed by Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
- Can users apply online for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
- Is Aadhaar mandatory for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
- Where can users apply for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Applications for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
- What documents may be required for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
- Is income certificate required for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab.
- Is RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab a central government scheme?
- Yes, RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
- Can small and marginal farmers apply for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Eligible small and marginal farmers may apply for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab subject to land ownership records, income eligibility, and agricultural beneficiary criteria.
- Does RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab provide subsidy support for farmers?
- RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab may provide agricultural subsidies, financial assistance, crop support, irrigation benefits, insurance coverage, or farming-related welfare assistance depending on the scheme structure.
- Does RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab provide healthcare or insurance support?
- RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab may provide healthcare assistance, insurance coverage, cashless treatment support, medical reimbursement, or hospital-related benefits depending on the scheme structure.
- Can beneficiaries use RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab at government hospitals?
- Eligible beneficiaries may be able to access services at empanelled hospitals, government healthcare facilities, or authorised healthcare providers depending on scheme participation rules.
- Does RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab provide business loan or startup assistance?
- RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab may support entrepreneurs, startups, self-employed individuals, MSMEs, or small businesses through financial assistance, subsidies, credit support, or training initiatives.
- Is collateral required under RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Collateral requirements may vary depending on the loan amount, implementing agency, financial institution, and government subsidy structure.
- Can CSC centres help users apply for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
- How can users check the latest updates for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
- Are there deadlines for applying to RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Some schemes may operate through fixed application windows, annual registration cycles, or department-specific deadlines depending on scheme implementation policies.
- Can beneficiaries track application status for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab?
- Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
- Where can users get help for RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab in All India?
- Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
- Which nearby public services may help with RKVY Soil Health and Fertility Village level Soil Testing Lab applications?
- Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.