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PM launches 'Soil Health Card scheme', presents Krishi Karman Awards from Suratgarh, Rajasthan

Published By : Admin | February 19, 2015 | 14:53 IST
"PM gives slogan: "Swasth Dharaa. Khet Haraa." - Healthy Earth. Green Farm"
"प्रधानमंत्री ने नारा दिया- 'स्‍वस्‍थ धरा, खेत हरा'"

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today called for focusing attention on the health of soil in agricultural areas across the country, to boost productivity and bring about increased prosperity.

unveiling of soil health card scheme logo and tagline - swasth dhara, khet hara

He was speaking after launching the Union Government`s nationwide `Soil Health Card` Scheme from Suratgarh, Rajasthan. He described agriculture as the key to poverty eradication.

raj cm presenting bouquet on dais

Referring to the song "Vande Mataram," he said that in order to achieve land that is truly "Sujalam, Suphalam," it is necessary to nurture the soil. He said the soil health card scheme is a step towards fulfilling this dream.

PM giving soil health card to a farmer

Calling for soil testing to be made a regular feature, the Prime Minister said a new class of entrepreneurs could set up soil testing labs even in small towns.

The Prime Minister said schemes such as the soil health card scheme, and the recently launched Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme were relevant across the country. Therefore he had recently launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme in Haryana, and was now launching this scheme in Rajasthan. He said it was essential to save both "Beti" and "Dharti Ma."

PM addressing

The Prime Minister also spoke of the importance of water. He said that it was essential to use water judiciously and not waste even a drop. He said excess and scarcity of water were both dangerous, and therefore, the key to good agriculture was drops of water - "boond-boond paani." Prime Minister said he had asked each state to come up with agriculture plans under the aegis of the NITI Aayog.

14 crore Soil Health Cards are envisaged to be issued over the next 3 years.

krishi karman award being received by punjab cm

The Prime Minister presented the Krishi Karman Awards to State Government functionaries led by Chief Ministers of States and progressive farmers, to the states of Punjab, Odisha, Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat. He presented Commendation Awards to State Government functionaries led by Agriculture Ministers of States to Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Karnataka.

Governor of Rajasthan Shri Kalyan Singh, Chief Minister of Rajasthan Smt Vasundhara Raje, Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Prakash Singh Badal, and Union Minister for Agriculture Shri Radha Mohan Singh were present on the occasion.

Click here to read the full text speech

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PM chairs CCS Meeting to review measures being taken in the context of ongoing West Asia Conflict
April 01, 2026
Interventions across agriculture, fertilizers, shipping, aviation, logistics and MSMEs to mitigate emerging challenges discussed
Supply diversification for LPG and LNG, fuel duty reduction and power sector measures reviewed to ensure stability of essential supplies
Steps being taken to ensure stable prices of essential commodities and strict action against hoarding and black-marketing
Control Rooms set up for constant monitoring and interaction with States/UTs on prices and enforcement of Essential Commodities Act
Various efforts being taken to ensure fertilizer supply such as maintaining Urea Production and coordination with overseas suppliers for DAP/NPKS supplies
PM assesses availability of critical needs for the common man
PM discusses availability of fertilisers in the country and steps being taken to ensure its availability in the Kharif and Rabi seasons
PM directs that all efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict
PM underlines the need for timely & smooth flow of authentic information to the public to prevent misinformation and rumour mongering
Enough coal stock exists which shall serve power needs adequately in coming months

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi a special of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to review measures taken by various Ministries/Departments and also discussed further initiatives to be taken in the context of the ongoing West Asia conflict, at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg today. This was the second special CCS meeting on this issue.

Cabinet Secretary briefed about the action taken to ensure supply of petroleum products, particularly LNG/LPG, and sufficient power availability. Sources are being diversified for procurement of LPG with new inflows from different countries. Similarly, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is being sourced from different countries. He further briefed that LPG prices for domestic consumers have remained the same and Anti-diversion enforcement to curb hoarding and black marketing of LPG is being conducted regularly.

Initiatives have also been taken to expand Piped Natural Gas connections. Measures like exempting the gas-based power plants with a capacity of 7-8 GW from gas pooling mechanism and increasing of rake for positioning more coal at thermal power stations etc. have also been taken to ensure availability of power during the peak summer months.

Further, interventions proposed to be taken for emerging challenges in various other sectors such as agriculture, civil aviation, shipping and logistics were also discussed.

Various efforts like maintaining urea production to meet requirements, coordinating with overseas supplies for DAP/NPKS suppliers are being taken to ensure fertilizer supply. State governments are being requested to curb black marketing, hoarding, and diversion of fertilizers through daily monitoring, raids, and strict action.

The retail prices of food commodities have been stable over the past one month. Control Rooms have been set up for constant monitoring and interaction with States/UTs on prices and enforcement of Essential Commodities Act. The prices of agricultural products , vegetables and fruits are also being monitored.

Efforts to globally diversify our sources for energy, fertilizers and other supply chains, and international initiatives for securing safe passage of vessels through the strait of Hormuz and ongoing diplomatic efforts are being taken.

Enhanced coordination, real-time communication, and proactive measures across central, state, and district levels to drive effective information dissemination and public awareness amid the evolving crisis is being undertaken.

Prime Minister assessed the availability of critical needs for the common man. He discussed availability of fertilisers in the country and steps being taken to ensure its availability in the Kharif and Rabi seasons. He said that all efforts must be made to safeguard the citizens from the impact of this conflict. Prime Minister also emphasised smooth flow of authentic information to the public to prevent misinformation and rumour mongering.

Prime Minister directed all concerned departments to take all possible measures to ameliorate the problems of citizens and sectors affected by the ongoing global situation.