The Village Level Soil Testing Lab (VLSTL) initiative under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) aims to empower rural youth and entrepreneurs by enabling them to set up soil testing labs at the village level. These labs help ensure farmers get easy and affordable access to soil health analysis near their farms.
Eligible individuals include:
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Rural youth
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Village-level entrepreneurs
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Self Help Groups (SHGs)
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Participants of the RAWE programme
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Krishi Sakhis
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Agriculture students from government schools and SAUs
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Members of PACS
The labs must be operated by local youth and will receive one-time financial assistance of ₹1.5 lakh.
Cost Components
| S. No | Component | Cost (Rs. in lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soil testing setup with reagents, sample shaker machine, and one-year AMC | 1.00 |
| 2 | Equipment like pH meter, conductivity meter, distilled water, balance, glassware, etc. | 0.50 |
| Total | 1.50 |
The payment will be made through DBT mode and facilitated by the respective state governments.
Objectives
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Provide soil testing access at grassroots level
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Deliver timely and accurate test results
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Recommend customized soil nutrient usage
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Raise awareness about soil health
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Optimize fertiliser use to reduce input cost
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Ensure long-term soil health tracking
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Collect localized soil data for studies and policies
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Boost rural employment
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Strengthen the national soil testing infrastructure
Benefits
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Affordable soil test access for farmers
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Accurate and timely soil reports
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Customized fertiliser suggestions
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Minimized input costs
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Improved farmer knowledge on soil health
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Region-wise soil data collection
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Village-level employment generation
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Strengthening of lab infrastructure in rural areas
Eligibility
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Age: 18 to 27 years
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Education: Minimum 10th pass with Science and computer knowledge
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Premises: Applicant must have own/rented space with at least a 4-year lease agreement
Application Process
Offline Mode
Step 1: Identification of individual entrepreneurs or groups (e.g., SHGs, PACS, schools)
Step 2: Identification and verification of lab premises
Step 3: Verification of equipment procurement proof
Step 4: Proposal approval by SLEC after receiving inputs from DLEC (within one month)
Step 5: Financial assistance disbursed by the state within one week of approval
Step 6: Entrepreneurs must submit receipts of procurement within 15 days to DLEC
Documents Required
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Aadhaar number
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Land ownership or lease documents
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Bank account details
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Passport-size photographs
Note: Document requirements may vary depending on state or intervention. Contact local officials for specifics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Will necessary training be provided to entrepreneur after setting up VLSTL?
Yes, training support will be provided to ensure quality soil testing and reporting.
Q: How will awareness be generated among farmers regarding SHC?
Awareness campaigns will be carried out by local agriculture officers, extension workers, and through community-based activities.
Q: On what basis will VLSTL provide recommendations?
Recommendations will be based on scientific analysis of soil samples and standard nutrient guidelines.
Q: Are there any additional incentives for certain genders or caste/minority farmers?
Yes, states may provide additional support or preference to women, SC/ST, and minority farmers based on policy.
Q: Can village-level STLs be set up by SHGs?
Yes, Self Help Groups (SHGs) are eligible under the scheme.
Q: Is there a minimum education requirement for the entrepreneur setting up the VLSTL?
Yes, the applicant must be at least 10th pass with science and basic computer knowledge.
Q: How much time will the approval from SLEC take?
The SLEC approval process takes up to one month.
Q: Post approval from SLEC, how much time will it take for release of funds?
Funds are released by the state government within one week of approval.
Q: When should the entrepreneur submit bills/receipts of procurement?
Bills and receipts must be submitted within 15 days of receiving the financial assistance.