1. Laboratories
Head of Account: 2402-00-101-90 Plan
The scheme envisages physical and chemical analysis of soil samples which form an essential component of soil survey. It supplements the field observations and enhances the quality of soil survey reports through soil profile analysis for taxonomic classification and soil fertility assessment. Presently, the various analysis are being carried out by the seven soil analytical laboratories functioning under the Department of Soil Survey & Soil Conservation, as listed below.
- Central Soil Analytical Laboratory, Thiruvananthapuram
- Soil and Plant Health Clinic, Pathanamthitta
- Regional Soil Analytical Laboratory, Alappuzha
- Regional Soil Analytical Laboratory, Thrissur
- Regional Soil Analytical Laboratory, Kozhikode
- Hitech Soil Analytical Laboratory, Wayanad,
- Soil and Plant Health Clinic, Kasargod
In addition, the first Mobile Soil Testing Lab of the Department was commissioned in 2017.
Soil Health Card scheme is being continued in selected panchayats of all the districts in the state. Department is also providing analytical support for Haritha keralam mission initiatives.
A Mobile Application on “MANNU” which can guide the farmer with a crop wise fertilizer recommendation system based on the site specific soil nutrient status was developed by the department in association with IIITM-K. Farmers throughout Kerala are benefited and organic and inorganic recommendations as per KAU package of practice is available through this application.
2. Training of Soil Survey Officers
Head of Account: 2402-00-101-89 Plan
The scheme has been implemented with the objective of imparting training to soil survey personnel in various fields like computer application, remote sensing, GIS and advancements in soil survey techniques, watershed management etc. Regular training of soil survey officers in various areas like modern Soil Survey techniques, remote sensing, and GIS are essential for the application of modern technologies in soil survey. Conduct of trainings, seminars, symposia, workshops, conferences, interfaces and technical sessions related to soil survey and deputation of one officer for higher studies in Soil Science are also envisaged under the scheme.
3. Soil Informatics and Publication Cell
(Additional Facilities to Soil Survey Organization)
Head of Account: 2402-00-101-86 Plan
The scheme envisages additional support for generation and publication of technical reports and maps of panchayats, districts and other technical bulletins required for soil based land development programmes. It also serves to provide consultancy services to user agencies approaching the department for soil and related data for research and planning purpose. The outlay is provided for meeting the expenses related to detailed Soil Survey such as purchase of cadastral maps and publication of maps, digitization special drive intended to transfer the soil data available with the department in digital format, fuel expenses, travelling expenses, hiring charges of vehicles for field activities, purchase of machinery and equipments, cartographic materials, other software and hardware, engaging contract staff and generation of digital soil information. The outlay will be utilized for strengthening of Geomatics Lab and the expenses for meeting the general functioning of the Cell.
4. State Soil Museum
Head of Account: 2402-00-101-83 Plan
The “State Soil Museum”, inaugurated and opened to the public on 01.01.2014 isa state- of- the- art venture which is first of its kind in the whole country, situated on the first floor of the Central Soil Analytical Laboratory Building at Parottukonam near Thiruvananthapuram. The museum showcases the diversity and uniqueness of the precious non-renewable resource, soil and acts as a repository of comprehensive information about soils of the State.
5. Creation of data bank for classification of land
Head of Account: 2402-00-101-82 Plan
Creation of data bank envisages categorisation of land based on the 22 fold classification of land use evolved by the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA). The proposal is to include remote sensing technology to improve the efficiency of soil survey and to reduce the field survey-thematic map preparation time lag thereby making available the results of the survey to the end user before the next crop season. Verification of the ground truth with image processed data at field level will be carried out. Based on the ground truth data, image processed data is rectified and the corrected land classification database of the area is generated.
SPILL OVER ACTIVITIES OF WESTERN GHATS CELL
Vide. G.O.(MS) No.26/2019/Plg. dated 15/10/2019, the Western Ghats cell functioning under the Planning & Economic Affairs Department has been winded up and the spillover activities under the cell have been handed over to the Soil Survey and Soil Conservation Department. Consequent to the transferring the activities of the cell, action was initiated for completing the spillover works of HADA & watershed projects under WGDP.
