Ideaz

Hyperlocal Soil Testing-as-a-Service for Smallholders The Massive Gap India has 8,272 soil testing laboratories, but shockingly only 16.7% of farmers actually use them. Most labs are either non-functional or severely underutilized due to staff shortages and poor infrastructure. In Madhya Pradesh alone, labs worth ₹150 crores are lying defunct. This inefficiency leaves millions of farmers without access to crucial soil health insights. My Idea I propose a mobile, hyperlocal soil testing service designed especially for small and marginal farmers, who form 86% of India’s farming community. Instead of making farmers travel to distant labs and wait for weeks, the service will bring soil testing directly to their fields. Key features include: Portable soil testing kits for instant analysis. Mobile app integration to deliver reports and fertilizer recommendations. Village-level franchisees who operate and own the equipment. Affordable pay-per-test model (₹100–200 per test, far lower than traditional labs). Why This Works Farmers get real-time, actionable results at their doorstep. Reduces dependence on broken government systems like the SHC (Soil Health Card) scheme. Creates micro-entrepreneurship opportunities in rural areas via franchisees. Ensures long-term productivity by guiding farmers to use the right fertilizers in the right amounts.