Tamil Nadu Launches Soil Fertility Mission with Rs.600 Crore Outlay
Tamil Nadu Launches Soil Fertility Mission with Rs.600 Crore Outlay
Summary
Tamil Nadu's 2026-27 Agriculture Budget launched the Soil Fertility Mission (Manvalap Pathukappu Iyakkam), a five-year mission with a total outlay of Rs.600 crore, including Soil Health Cards for Farmer-ID holders and funding for beneficial soil micro-organisms.
Background
Declining soil fertility due to intensive cropping and chemical input use has become a concern in Tamil Nadu agriculture, prompting the State to launch a dedicated mission for soil health restoration.
TNPSC Relevance
Soil conservation and sustainable agriculture schemes are relevant to both the Agriculture and Environment sections of the TNPSC syllabus.
Constitutional / Economic / Scientific Relevance
Environmentally, the mission supports sustainable farming through organic soil-health interventions rather than purely chemical fertiliser use.
Tamil Nadu Relevance
This is a Tamil Nadu-specific mission targeting soil health across the State's farming communities.
Key Highlights
- The mission is called Tamil Nadu Soil Conservation Mission.
- It runs for five years with a total outlay of Rs.600 crore (Rs.122.51 crore this year).
- Soil Health Cards will be issued to about 3 lakh Farmer-ID holders at a cost of Rs.6.16 crore.
- Rs.4 crore has been allocated for promoting beneficial soil micro-organisms.
Important Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Mission name | Manvalap Pathukappu Iyakkam |
| Duration | 5 years |
| Total outlay | Rs.600 crore |
| This year's allocation | Rs.122.51 crore |
| Soil Health Cards beneficiaries | ~3 lakh Farmer-ID holders |
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2026-08-07 | Soil Fertility Mission launched in Tamil Nadu's Agriculture Budget |
Static GK Links
- Soil Health Card Scheme (national, launched 2015)
- Organic farming promotion schemes in India
Exam Notes & Memorization Points
Manvalap Pathukappu Iyakkam = TN Soil Fertility Mission.
Total outlay: Rs.600 crore over 5 years.
Soil Health Cards for ~3 lakh Farmer-ID holders.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is the total outlay of Tamil Nadu's Soil Fertility Mission over five years?
- (A) Rs.400 crore
- (B) Rs.600 crore
- (C) Rs.800 crore
- (D) Rs.1,000 crore
Answer: B — The mission has a total outlay of Rs.600 crore over five years.
Q2. Tamil Nadu's Soil Fertility Mission is officially known by what Tamil name?
- (A) Vetri Vivasayi
- (B) Manvalap Pathukappu Iyakkam
- (C) Uzhavar Sevai Iyakkam
- (D) Nilam Pathukappu Thittam
Answer: B — The mission is called Manvalap Pathukappu Iyakkam in Tamil.
Q3. How many Farmer-ID holders will receive Soil Health Cards under this mission?
- (A) 1 lakh
- (B) 2 lakh
- (C) 3 lakh
- (D) 5 lakh
Answer: C — About 3 lakh Farmer-ID holders will receive Soil Health Cards.
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