Chittorgarh- For Ratanlal Bhil, a tribal farmer from Kalyanpura village in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh district, farming had always been a way of life. But over the years, his land’s productivity declined drastically- crops weakened, yields dropped, and income diminished. Despite relentless hard work, he found himself trapped in a cycle of poor harvests and mounting expenses.

Ratanlal tried everything - changing seeds, adjusting irrigation, and even blaming unpredictable weather. Yet, nothing worked. His soil, once fertile, had lost its vitality due to nutrient depletion from years of imbalanced fertilizer use. With no scientific guidance, he was on the verge of giving up farming altogether.

 Like many small farmers, he faced dwindling incomes and growing despair, even considering abandoning farming altogether. The turning point came when he attended an agricultural camp organized under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Sambal Pakhwada in Pandoli Station, where he learned about the Rajasthan government's Soil Health Card Scheme.

The Soil Health Card Scheme proved revolutionary for Ratanlal. After getting his soil tested, he discovered critical deficiencies - severe zinc shortage, low nitrogen levels, and inadequate organic matter. Agriculture experts analyzed his soil health report and prescribed specific remedies- switching to organic fertilizers like vermicompost, applying zinc sulfate to address micronutrient gaps, and reducing chemical fertilizer use. Following this scientific advice, Ratanlal implemented the changes and witnessed a remarkable transformation in his fields within just a few months.

Following expert advice, he switched to vermicompost, organic manure, and zinc sulfate instead of chemical fertilizers. Within months, his barren land transformed into fertile soil. His soil has regained its vitality, crops stand healthier and greener, and yields have doubled compared to previous years.

Today, his fields are greener, yields have doubled, and his income has significantly improved. From nearly abandoning farming, Ratanlal has now become an advocate for soil testing and organic farming in his community.

"The Soil Health Card Scheme saved my farming career," he says. "Earlier, I was clueless, now, I know exactly what my soil needs. My land is fertile again, and my family’s future is secure. I urge every farmer to get their soil tested-it’s a game-changer!"

Today, Ratanlal is not just a successful farmer but also a community leader, educating fellow farmers about soil testing and organic farming.

The financial stability this has brought has changed his family's life. More importantly, his experience has made him an advocate for scientific farming in his community. He now actively encourages fellow farmers to get their soil tested and adopt balanced fertilization practices. "The Soil Health Card gave me knowledge that saved my farm," Ratanlal says. "Now I understand exactly what my land needs, and the results speak for themselves."