Content:

1. Bharat Tex 2025
2. Celebrating a Decade of Soil Health Cards

Bharat Tex 2025

Overview & Significance

• India’s largest global textile event held from 14-17 February 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Covered 2.2 million sq. ft., hosted 5,000+ exhibitors, and attracted 1,20,000+ trade visitors from 120+ countries.
• Focused on the “Farm to Fibre, Fabric, Fashion, and Foreign Markets” vision to enhance the entire textile value chain.
• Showcased India’s global textile leadership through innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration.

Relevance : GS 3(Economy )

Economic Impact & Industry Snapshot

• India is the 6th-largest global textile exporter, contributing 8.21% of India’s total exports (2023-24).
• Textiles account for a 4.5% share in global trade; US & EU consume 47% of India’s textile exports.
• Employment driver:
  • Direct jobs: Over 45 million people
  • Indirect livelihoods: Over 100 million people, including a high proportion of women and rural workers.
• Textile exports at ₹3 lakh crore aim to triple to ₹9 lakh crore by 2030.

Government Policy Support & Schemes

• Prime Minister Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PMMITRA) Parks:
  • 7 mega parks with USD 10 Bn investment, ensuring plug-and-play infrastructure and integrated textile ecosystems.

• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme:
  • INR 10,683 crore (~USD 1 Bn) incentives for MMF Apparel, MMF Fabrics, and Technical Textiles manufacturing.

• Samarth Scheme:
  • Skill development across textile value chain, demand-driven with state-specific programs.

• National Technical Education & Training Mission:
  • Targets USD 300 Bn in technical textiles by 2047, focusing on R&D, market development, and skilling.

• State Incentives:
  • States offering capital subsidies, wage support, power, and water incentives to boost textile units.

Innovations & Focused Business Zones

• Intelligent Manufacturing:
  • Integration of AI, IoT, automation, and data analytics to modernize textile production.

• Technical Textiles:
  • Application in automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and construction sectors.

• Home Textiles:
  • Prominence of regional craftsmanship from Gujarat (embroidery) and Kashmir (woollen shawls, rugs).

• Fabrics & Apparel:
  • Major production hubs: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, West Bengal.
  • Fusion of traditional handlooms with modern manufacturing for domestic and global markets.

• Handloom & Handicrafts:
  • Highlighted at Indie Haat (Feb 12-18) with 85 artisans showcasing 80+ handcrafted products.

• Fashion Showcase:
  • “Breathing Threads” Fashion Show emphasized zero-waste strategies and sustainable handloom designs.

Skilling, Startups & Research Initiatives

• 4 Start-ups under the GREAT Scheme received INR 50 lakh each for innovations in medical, industrial, and protective textiles.
• 3 Institutes (IIT Indore, NIT Patna) granted INR 6.5 crores for specialized textile courses.
• 12 Skill Development Courses approved in medical, protective, mobile, and agricultural textiles.

Sustainability & Global Partnerships

• Strong emphasis on eco-friendly production, zero-waste designs, and ethical manufacturing.
• International collaborations with global CEOs, policymakers, and manufacturers fostered cross-border trade partnerships.
• Reinforced India’s commitment to “Fashion for Environment and Empowerment”, aligning with global sustainability trends.

Comparison with Bharat Tex 2024

• Bharat Tex 2024:
  • 3,500+ exhibitors, 3,000+ overseas buyers, and 1,00,000+ visitors.
  • Hosted 50+ knowledge sessions on trade and innovation.

• Bharat Tex 2025:
  • Scaled up to 5,000+ exhibitors and 1,20,000+ visitors, signifying enhanced global interest.
  • Expanded focus on technical textiles, sustainability, and intelligent manufacturing.

Key Takeaways & Future Outlook

• Bharat Tex 2025 positions India as a global textile hub through:
  • Policy-driven growth (PLI, PM MITRA, Samarth).
  • Innovation and technology integration.
  • Sustainability and ethical production.
  • Export diversification targeting₹9 lakh crore by 2030.
• Strengthens rural employment, women’s participation, and artisan empowerment.
• Reinforces India’s leadership in fashion, fabrics, and future-oriented textile innovations.

Celebrating a Decade of Soil Health Cards

Introduction

• Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19th February 2015 at Suratgarh, Rajasthan.
• Aimed at assisting State Governments to issue Soil Health Cards (SHCs) to all farmers.
• SHCs provide information on soil nutrient status and recommend appropriate nutrient dosage to enhance soil fertility and crop productivity.
• SHC Portal (www.soilhealth.dac.gov.in) enables generation of cards in major languages and 5 dialects with a uniform format.

Key Features of the SHC Scheme

• SHC reports soil status for 12 parameters:
  • Macronutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Sulphur (S)
  • Micronutrients: Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Manganese (Mn), Boron (Bo)
  • Other Parameters: pH (acidity/basicity), EC (Electrical Conductivity), OC (Organic Carbon)
• Provides fertilizer recommendations and soil amendment guidelines.

• Soil samples collected twice annually – post-Rabi and post-Kharif seasons.

Village Level Soil Testing Labs (VLSTLs)

• Guidelines issued: June 2023.
• Eligibility:
  • Youth aged 18-27 years
  • Community-based entities: SHGs, FPOs, Schools, Agriculture Universities
• Status (as of Feb 2025):
  • 665 VLSTLs established across 17 States.
• Benefits:
  • Promotes local entrepreneurship and rural employment.
  • Enhances timely soil testing and localized solutions for farmers.

School Soil Health Programme

• Pilot launched with DA&FW, DSE&L, ICAR in rural Kendriya Vidyalayas & Navodaya Vidyalayas.
• Objective: Promote soil health awareness and sustainable farming among students.
• Activities:
  • Students collected and tested soil samples.
  • Generated SHCs for local farmers.
  • Conducted farmer awareness drives on judicious fertilizer use.
• Impact (as of 2024):
  • 1020 schools implementing the programme.
  • 1000 soil labs established; 125,972 students enrolled.

Technological Advancements

 Revamped SHC Portal (2023):

• Integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS).
• Captures test results on interactive maps showing boundaries at multiple administrative levels.

 SHC Mobile App Features:

• Auto-selection of latitude and longitude for soil samples.
• Restricts sample collection to designated areas for accuracy.
• Generates QR codes for sample-to-result tracking, ensuring transparency.
• Real-time monitoring and digital card generation through the app.

Digitization Efforts:

• Developed by National Informatics Centre (NIC).
• Facilitates web–based workflow and efficient data management.

Integration with Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

• Merged in 2022–23 under the ‘Soil Health & Fertility’ component.
• Ensures holistic agricultural development with enhanced resource allocation.

Impact & Achievements

• Improved awareness of soil nutrient management among farmers.
• Promoted balanced fertilizer use, reducing over-dependence on chemical fertilizers.
• Enhanced crop productivity and ensured cost–effective farming.
• Youth and student involvement fostered community participation and awareness.

Challenges & Way Forward

• Challenges:
  • Ensuring timely delivery of SHCs to all farmers.
  • Bridging gaps in digital literacy among rural farmers.
  • Sustaining accurate sample collection and regular testing.

• Way Forward:
  • Expand VLSTLs and incentivize youth participation.
  • Strengthen digital outreach and training for farmers.
  • Incorporate AI & remote sensing for precise soil monitoring.

Conclusion

• Over the past decade, the SHC Scheme has transformed farming practices by providing scientific soil health insights.
• Technological upgrades and educational initiatives have made the scheme more accessible and farmer-friendly.
• The scheme remains crucial in ensuring sustainable agriculture and preserving soil health for future generations.