Soil Testing:
Soil testing helps diagnose soil health and evolve soil specific and crop specific solutions. It helps to identify problematic soils, their nutritional status, texture and structure. Based on the analysis, farmers are advised on soil fertility management through rational use of manure, fertilizers and amendments to make agriculture more productive and sustainable.
Soil testing becomes indispensable to assure national food security, nutritional security, maintenance of soil health, enhancement of soil fertility and to leave a good heritage for the future generations.
Recognizing this paramount need, RCF has established six static soil testing laboratories since 1967 and three mobile testing vans. Soil testing reports(or Soil Health Cards) are mailed directly to farmers after analysis. This enables farmers to make informed decisions about soil health management and maintenance depending on the crop to be sown.
This service is rendered free of cost to farmers.
Soil testing reports(or Soil Health Cards) are mailed directly to farmers after analysis. This enables farmers to make informed decisions about soil health management and maintenance depending on the crop to be sown.
This service is rendered free of cost to farmers.
Statewise/Districtwise locations of Soil Testing Labs:
| Sr.No | Name of laboratory and address | Districts/states covered |
| 1. |
Mumbai. Marketing Manager R&D Bldg., RCF Ltd., Chembur,Mumbai- 400 074 Ph.No. 022-25522201-10 Extn. 263 |
Thane,Raigad,Ratnagiri, Pune,Jalgaon,Nasik,Nandurbar,Dhule Districts of Maharashtra & Gujrat, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Punjab & Hariyana |
| 2. | Kolhapur. Marketing Manager Kanchanganga Complex, 204 E New Shahupuri, Kolhapur – 416 001. Ph.No. 0231-2650010 |
Kolhapur,Sangli,Satara, Sindhudurg,Solapur,Goa |
| 3. | Nagpur. Chief Marketing Manager Dandige Layout, East Shankar Nagar, Nagpur-440 010 Ph.No. 0712-2526121 |
Nagpur,Bhandara,Wardha,Gondia,Chandrapur, Gadchiroli,Akola,Buldhana,Amravati,Yawatmal, Washim Districts of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh & Chattisgad |
| 4. | Ahmednagar. Marketing Manager S.No.20.I.I.Lines Behind Mahesh Talkies Ahmednagar-414 001. Ph.No. 0241-2431070 |
Beed,Latur,Aurangabad Osmanabad,Jalna, Nanded,Parbhani, Hingoli. Districts of Maharashtra |
| 5. | Hassan Marketing Manager Congress Bhavan, B.M. Road, Hassan- 573 201 Ph.No. 08172-264585 |
Hassan,Chikmaglur, Kodagu,Tumkur,Uttarakannad,Haveri, Bellary,Koppal,Bijapur Districts of Karnataka & Tamil Nadu |
| 6. | Vijaywada. Marketing Manager 60-6-16/1, 1st floor, 3rd lane,Siddartha Nagar, Pinnamangeni Poly Clinic Road, Vijaywada -520 010 Ph.No. 0866-2477204 |
Nalgonda,Krishna,VizagWarangal, Adilabad, Kurnool, Khammam, Ananthapur, Rangareddy, Nizamabad, Srikakulam,Chittoor. Districts of Andhra Pradesh |
Mobile Soil Testing Van:
RCF also has three mobile soil testing labs which visit different places during both the seasons i.e. Kharif and Rabi for collection of soil samples and analyze them on the spot. The technical staff prepares the complete report stating the details of fertilizer application based on the soil analysis report and make farmers understand the soil analysis report so that they apply fertilizers as per requirement.| Sr.No. | Location of lab | Collection and analysis of soil samples Static + Mobile | ||||
| 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | ||
| 1. | Trombay,Mumbai | 14514 | 13207 | 16967 | 17383 | 19500 |
| 2. | Nagpur | 10951 | 8956 | 8642 | 10045 | 13371 |
| 3. | Kolhapur | 9295 | 9931 | 7571 | 9094 | 12160 |
| 4. | Ahmednagar | 12025 | 12180 | 11925 | 12480 | 12660 |
| 5. | Hassan(Karnataka) | 8476 | 6395 | 7699 | 10181 | 9010 |
| 6. | Vijaywada(AP) | 1155 | 8871 | 9802 | 10050 | 9404 |
| Grand Total | 56416 | 59540 | 62606 | 69593 | 76105 | |
Collection of soil samples is a critical activities and thus farmers, extension and development workers and others are trained in this activity through RCF’s Training Institutes and during farmers meeting.
Since last 40 years, RCF has analyzed more than 50 lakhs soil samples.
Farmer training institutes: At Nagpur and Thal regularly conduct residential programmes on soil sample collection. This includes field visits and laboratory visits to see how the analysis takes place.
Farmers' meetings: Are also used to trained farmers in soil sample collection and interpretation of results. Similar training is also imparted to NSS students from various colleges of Maharashtra. Educating farmers in the appropriate manner of sample collection and interpreting the analysis reports goes a long way in empowering them and also enables dissemination of accurate technical information.
Field days/Fertilizer days/Soil testing days: Are normally organized on the fields of the farmers where demonstrations are conducted on fertilizer applications. Subjects includes soil testing, balanced use of fertilizers, importance of RCF products and its benefits and methods of application, crop protection etc. Normally 50-70 farmers attend this kind of agricultural programs. Agricultural officers,scientists, government officers from village panchayat, panchayat samiti, Zilla parishad,Agriculture department,Agricultural universities participate and guide the farmers gathered in the programme. Crop and product literature is distributed to the farmers for reference while carrying out different operations in the field.
During last five years more than 1500 such programmes have been conducted in various states.
Micro Nutrient Analysis
In addition to the basic soil testing, micronutrient analysis is also becoming increasingly important, especially since many soils in India are found to be deficient in one or more of the micronutrients. Availability of micronutrients in the right proportion in the soil ensures higher productivity of farming.
RCF’s Trombay laboratory is engaged in the analysis of micronutrients. This analysis is charged a subsidized rate of Rs. 80/- per sample.
