Woman-led mobile van brings soil health revolution to 18K villages

Soil testing is crucial for farmers as it helps them understand the state of their soil’s health and fertility. This information helps them improve crop yield and fertilise efficiently, thereby fostering sustainable land management practices.

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To promote soil literacy sustainable inputs and precision agriculture, India’s first mobile soil testing van is travelling across more than 18,000 villages in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Through the initiative, the authorities concerned hope to transform how farmers manage their land, increase productivity and reduce dependency on harmful chemicals.

By analysing pH levels, organic carbon content and essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, soil testing allows farmers to make informed decisions about fertiliser use and crop suitability. It’s a simple step with powerful results, boosting productivity while protecting the soil from over-fertilisation.

Farmer Amrik Singh shares how soil testing has been a game-changer in preparing his field for the upcoming paddy season. “Soil testing helped me understand what nutrients my field lacked. It gave me confidence that my paddy will grow in the right conditions,” he said.

This initiative, led by GreenAffair Sustainable Solutions Pvt Ltd, a Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)-PABI-supported startup, marks a significant leap toward data-driven, regenerative farming practices.

The ‘Soil Yatra’ is a woman-led, science-backed movement aimed at revolutionising soil health diagnostics across rural India. Equipped with cutting-edge soil testing technologies and a digital interface for real-time analysis.

Dr MS Bhullar, Director of Extension Education, said, “This is not just a vehicle, it is a mobile revolution bringing science to the soil. It’s the kind of innovation that can transform how farmers manage their land, increase productivity and reduce dependency on harmful chemicals.”

The yatra is supported by a consortium of institutions, including IISER-Mohali, NSRCEL IIM-B and Startup Punjab.

The van, designed to conduct on-the-spot soil tests and offer customised reports, will be instrumental in guiding farmers on ideal crop and fertiliser use.