Soil testing lab established by the Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, India (Santosh Gupta)

Dissemination of Soil Test Results to Farmers through a Participatory Approach (印度)

Mitti ki namuna

描述

A systematic approach has been developed under the project for collecting soil samples, conducting the soil test results, issuing soil health cards, building the capacity of farmers to interpret the soil health card and apply the required nutrients to the soil based on the soil test result

Soil testing is a pre-cultivation activity that gives a good idea about soil structure and mineral composition ratios. The essential nutrients required for various crop growths can be estimated during soil testing. The Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) has established a state-of-the-art soil testing laboratory for testing soil samples in India's Mandla District of Madhya Pradesh. The soil test lab was established in 2016 with a capacity to test 1500-2000 soil samples every year. Based on a soil sampling process, it takes around 2 days to generate the soil test results for 20 soil samples. Collected soil samples are tested for 12 parameters. These parameters include Soil Ph, Soil organic carbon (SoC), electrical conductivity (EC), major nutrients like nitrogen(N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), secondary nutrients like sulphur, magnesium, iron, boron, zinc, manganese, and copper. Based on the soil test report, farmers are issued a soil health card with crop-specific recommendations for additional chemical and organic inputs into the soil.

To ensure the accuracy of the sampling process and proper dissemination of generated results among the farmers, FES has developed a very systematic process which consists of:

•the collection of soil samples
•the analysis of collected soil samples in an FES lab
•the issuance of soil health cards
•the interpretation of soil test results
•noticing of test results to farmers
•farmers are able to implement practices, recommended by the test result

The entire process, from soil sampling to dissemination, is briefly mentioned below:

•Developing the grids for a random collection of soil samples: The first step is to develop a geographical grid for collecting random samples based on predefined parameters. In the irrigated areas, samples are drawn in a grid of 2.5 ha, while in rainfed areas, samples are drawn from a grid of 10 ha. While developing the grid, farmers' fields are categorized into the following parameters. Each of the parameters is assigned a specific score, and based on the obtained score, each farmer’s land is given a specific number for easy identification on soil maps. These include the a) type of soil, b) type of field, e.g., upland, medium land, or low land, c) crop cycle (Single crop, multiple crops) d) The slope of the field. This entire exercise is a soil survey exercise used to develop soil maps for each geographical unit village, block, district.
•Collection of soil samples: From each classified grid, soil samples are collected from 5 different locations between the harvest of one crop and the sowing/planting of another crop when fields are vacant. The soil samples are collected at a depth of 5 to 15 cm. All the collected soil samples are mixed repeatedly, and a portion of the collected soil is kept aside each time. The mixing process is followed 5-6 times to ensure collected soil samples represent the entire area. Finally, around 500 gm of soil is packed in plastic polythene based on the above grid parameters.
•Soil sample analysis: Collected soil samples are transported to the centralized soil test lab in Mandla (MP) for testing and analysis. The samples are analyzed by qualified lab personnel. The analysis process for the above mentioned 12 parameters takes around 2 days (considering 8-9 working hours in a day).
•Issuance of soil health card: Based on the results obtained from the analysis, soil health cards are issued to farmers. The soil health card contains the following information in the local language (Hindi) so that farmers understand the test results and their implications:

a.Basic details of the farmer: name, address, soil grid, GPS coordinates, field identification number, etc.
b.Soil test results for above mentioned 12 parameters: results of the soil test in their respective units, standard numbers, grading of the obtained result (acidic/saline for PH., high, medium, low for other parameters)
c.Crop-wise soil correction recommendations for major crops: recommendations for synthetic fertilizers, biofertilizers, and compost
d.Pre-printed information with photos for identification of nutrient deficiency in the crops.

•Dissemination of soil health card to farmers: To ensure that farmers understand the results and implement the practices at their field, local community resource persons reach out to every farmer to make them understand the soil test results and closely monitor their farmers’ practices across the crop stages. Farmers are also encouraged to maintain farm diaries for their practices. They are also trained in the preparation of various bio-inputs and compost for application in their field.

地点

地点: Mandla, Madhya Pradesh, 印度

选定地点的地理参考
  • 80.37213, 22.59756
  • 80.37213, 22.59756

启动日期: 2018

终止年份: 不适用

方法的类型
Sample of the soil health card (Santosh Gupta)
Soil health card with recommendations (Santosh Gupta)

方法目标和有利环境

该方法的主要目的/目标
1. Ensure judicious usage of fertilizers and micronutrients based on the requirement of the soil
2. Ensure quality soil testing and dissemination of results
3. Build farmers' capacity for interpretation of soil health cards
4. Develop soil maps based on the in-house results from the soil test lab
推动实施本办法所应用技术的条件
  • 机构设置: The entire dissemination methodology is done through community-based organizations
  • 参与者的的协作/协调: Several stakeholders, such as FES, farmers, equipment suppliers, the scientific community, and soil scientists, are involved in the project
  • 政策: Soil test results are an excellent input for the agricultural policies around fertilizers, farming practices, and soil health-related policies
  • 土地治理(决策、实施和执行): A soil health card is an excellent tool for farmers to decide on the usage of fertilizers and the kind of farming practices to implement
  • 了解SLM,获得技术支持: Soil health cards inform the farmers and the project management team so to decide on required interventions and farming practices
  • 市场(购买投入,销售产品)和价格: Very much relevant as soil test results quantify the number of farm inputs to be applied to the farm
阻碍实施本办法所应用技术的条件

相关利益相关者的参与和角色

该方法涉及的利益相关者及其职责
该方法涉及哪些利益相关者/执行机构? 指定利益相关者 说明利益相关者的角色
当地土地使用者/当地社区 Farmers from the project area Soil samples were collected from the field of farmers. They have actively participated in the projects for managing the soil samples, participating in the capacity building programs, and implementing the recommended practices.
社区组织 FES, the implementing NGO, have formed the Villages Environment Committee (VEC) in their project villages as community-based organizations VECs facilitated the implanting of a project by mobilizing the communities as and when needed. FES reached farmers through the VECs, to collect the soil samples or disseminate the information. VECs also facilitated community-level implementation activities.
SLM专家/农业顾问 SLM Specialist Documentation of the activities
NGO Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) is a well-known NGO registered in India. It focuses on ecology-related issues and works closely with farmers and forest-based communities. FES played an essential role in the project. Primary activities were as follows: 1. Establishment of soil testing laboratory and hiring the technical team to conduct the soil test lab 2. Collection of soil test samples and building the capacity of farmers on soil sample collection 3. Conducting soil test results and issuance of soil health cards to farmers 4. Developing a soil health map for the project areas 5. Capacity building of farmers for the interpretation of soil health cards and ensuring the implementation of recommended practices
国际组织 GIZ, India Funding of the project
领导机构
Foundation for Ecological Security
当地土地使用者/当地社区参与该方法的不同阶段
被动
外部支持
互动
自我动员
启动/动机
The FES led the initiation of discussions with its donor organizations. Discussions with communities to understand the challenges and opportunities.
计划
Local community institutions played a significant role in the entire process of planning and execution
实施
Farmers and community-based institutions were actively involved in implementing multiple activities under the project, such as collecting soil samples, supplying them to the soil test labs, and Implementing the recommended practices.
监测/评估
Community-based institutions played an important role in monitoring individual farmers for implementing the recommendations provided to farmers. They also monitored the results regarding crop progress, crop productivity, and improvement in soil health status.
流程图

有关SLM技术选择的决策

决策是由......做出的

  • 仅限土地使用者(自主)
  • 主要是土地使用者,由SLM专家提供支持
  • 所有相关参与者,作为参与式方法的一部分
  • 主要是SLM专家,咨询土地使用者之后
  • 仅限SLM专家
  • 政治家和领袖

决策是基于

  • 对充分记录的SLM知识进行评估(基于证据的决策)
  • 研究结果
  • 个人经验和意见(无记录)

技术支持、能力建设和知识管理

以下活动或服务是该方法的一部分
能力建设/培训
向以下利益相关者提供培训
  • 土地使用者
  • 现场工作人员/顾问
培训形式
  • 在职
  • 农民对农民
  • 示范区域
  • 公开会议
  • 课程
涵盖的主题

1. Importance of soil testing for the judicious use of fertilizers
2. Methods for soil sample collection
3. Interpretation of soil health card
4. Dissemination of soil test results and ways and means for implementing the recommended practices following organic and non-organic implementation practices

咨询服务
已提供咨询服务
  • 在土地使用者的土地上
  • 在固定中心
FES has a team of community-based resource persons from the local community and villages to provide advisory services to farmers
机构强化
机构已强化/建立
  • 是,少许
  • 是,适度
  • 是,非常
在下述层面上
  • 本地
  • 区域
  • 国家
描述机构、角色和职责、成员等.
Village-level environment committees were formed to discuss the issues related to environmental concerns, livelihoods, and other social problems at the village level. These committees consist of male and female members representing the entire village.
支持类型
  • 财务
  • 能力建设/培训
  • 设备
进一步细节
These committees were provided financial support to implement the identified activities based on the provision under the project and proposals submitted by the local committees. FES regularly provides training and handholding support to these committees.
监测和评估
The soil health report card is very useful in monitoring of the status of soil health and measuring the impact of various practices and intervention
研究
研究涉及以下主题
  • 社会学
  • 经济/市场营销
  • 生态学
  • 技术

融资和外部物质支持

SLM组成部分的年度预算,以美元计算
  • < 2,000
  • 2,000-10,000
  • 10,000-100,000
  • 100,000-1,000,000
  • > 1,000,000
Precise annual budget: 不适用
Externally funded projects (GIZ)
已向土地使用者提供以下服务或激励
  • 为土地使用者提供财政/物质支援
  • 特定投入的补贴
  • 信用
  • 其它激励或手段
部分融资
充分融资
设备: 机械

Different equipment used for testing the soils

设备: 机械: 工具

Different tools are used for collecting soil samples and for soil testing

土地使用者的劳动力为

影响分析和结论性陈述

方法的影响
是,很少
是,中等
是,支持力度很大
这种方法是否有助于基于证据的决策?

Soil health card-based changes in soil management and developing the evidence for soil health monitoring

该方法是否提高了SLM的协调性和成本效益?

Reduced the cost of applying fertilizers and other inputs through a result-based application

该方法是否提高了土地使用者实施土地管理的知识和能力?

Training and handholding by the team of implementing partners have helped land users to interpret the result of soil health card, collection of soil samples and following the recommended practices

该方法是否提高了其他利益相关者的知识和能力?

Other stakeholders such as implementing team got information about the outcome of their practices. More importantly, the soil health card was helpful in providing precise information on the application of fertilisers and bio-inputs.

该方法是否鼓励年轻人/下一代土地使用者参与SLM?

Youths were greatly involved in collection of soil samples

土地使用者实施SLM的主要动机
  • 增加生产
  • 增加利润(能力),提高成本效益比
  • 减少土地退化
  • 降低灾害风险
  • 减少工作量
  • 支付/补贴
  • 规章制度(罚款)/执行
  • 声望、社会压力/社会凝聚
  • 加入运动/项目/团体/网络
  • 环境意识
  • 习俗和信仰,道德
  • 提高SLM知识和技能
  • 美学改进
  • 冲突缓解
方法活动的可持续性
土地使用者能否维持通过该方法实施的措施(无外部支持的情况下)?
  • 不确定

Yes. The benefit in both reduced cost and improved soil health are the triggers to sustaining the practices. Also, the involvement of local community institutions will also ensure the sustainability of interventions.

结论和吸取的教训

长处: 土地使用者的观点
  • Judicious use of fertilizers and pesticides based on the nutrient requirement of soil, as mentioned under the soil health report
  • Separate recommendations for both chemical and organic (bio-inputs) are a good way for land users to make informed decisions
  • Tracing the improvement in soil health status based on the land users' agricultural practices
长处: 编制者或其他关键资源人员的观点
  • Developing the soil maps for the entire area to design appropriate interventions for the project
  • Instead of general recommendations for input application, the soil health card helped develop farmer/village-centric extension services for the farmers
  • Understand the impact of various interventions through periodic soil testing to document what has worked and what has not. Even this evidence can be used to monitor the soil organic carbon content for designing carbon-based projects and/or to access national or international carbon reduction credits.
弱点/缺点/风险: 土地使用者的观点如何克服
  • Farmers are still unaware of the soil test facility and its benefits Regular awareness programs along with a demonstration of soil sample collection
弱点/缺点/风险: 编制者或其他关键资源人员的观点如何克服
  • Farmers' strong belief in the application of a certain quantity of fertilizers to ensure better production This requires specific behavior change campaigns through local demonstration and documentation
  • Government authorities also conduct the soil test and issue the soil health card. However the farmers' experience with such system has not been outstanding. Put efforts into conveying the difference between both approaches by promptly issuing the soil health card
  • The soil test lab is in the District capital, so farmers in far-away areas may face difficulties in accessing the facility Explore the option of establishing soil test labs near farmers' locations

参考文献

编制者
  • Santosh Gupta
Editors
  • Noel Templer
  • Stephanie Katsir
  • Tabitha Nekesa
  • Ahmadou Gaye
  • Siagbé Golli
审查者
  • Udo Höggel
  • Joana Eichenberger
  • Sally Bunning
实施日期: March 18, 2023
上次更新: April 11, 2024
资源人
WOCAT数据库中的完整描述
链接的SLM数据
文件编制者
机构 项目
链接到网络上可用的相关信息
This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareaAlike 4.0 International