“Soil is the foundation of farming. If we do not understand what is in the soil, how can we expect the crop to grow well?” says Swapna Sonkambale, the organic agriculture teacher at the school who leads farming education and trains students in soil health, sustainable practices, and field-based learning.
At Deep Griha Academy in Pune, agriculture is not treated as a secondary subject or a seasonal activity. It is central to how children learn, think and engage with the world. Here, classrooms extend into fields, and textbooks are complemented by lived experience.
The experience that began as an effort to teach children about soil health has grown into an influential initiative in which students help farmers understand the very ground they depend on.
A humble idea with strong foundations
Swapna, who has been associated with the school since 2014, explains that the idea surfaced from a gap she observed repeatedly.
At Deep Griha Academy in Pune, agriculture is not treated as a secondary subject.
“We teach agriculture from nursery to Class 8, so soil is a major part of everything we do. But we realised that even farmers are not always aware of what is in their soil,” she says.
This realisation led to the launch of the soil testing project in 2023. Initially, it was confined within the school, where students learnt the basics and practised on their own plots. Over time, as both teachers and students gained confidence, the initiative expanded beyond the campus.
“First, we learnt ourselves, and then we practised with the children. After that, we felt we could help farmers as well,” she adds.
By December 2024, the school conducted its first pilot with farmers. Since then, the project has consistently grown, reaching nearby villages and creating a bridge between education and community.
Learning through the land
At the academy, every child is allowed to work with the soil from an early age. Each class maintains its own patch of land, where students learn everything from preparing the soil to harvesting crops. They grow vegetables like brinjal, spinach, fenugreek, tomatoes and chillies, often selling their produce within the school.
This interactive approach builds both curiosity and responsibility. “We do not directly start with testing. Children first need to understand what soil is and why it matters,” the teacher explains.
By the time students reach Classes 7 and 8, they are introduced to more technical concepts, such as soil nutrients and their functions. They learn how nitrogen supports plant growth, how phosphorus aids root development and what happens when these nutrients are either deficient or excessive.
“We also teach them what to do in each situation. If something is less, how can we improve it using organic methods?” she says. The school places strong emphasis on sustainable practices, encouraging the use of organic manure like cow dung and compost instead of chemical fertilisers.
The science behind the soil
The soil testing process followed by the students is methodical and ingrained in both science and practice. Using a kit supported by the SoilSens platform, students are able to generate results within a short span of time.
They begin by understanding the fundamentals of soil health, including what soil is made of, the role of its nutrients, and why testing is important.
“It is just like learning biology, physics or chemistry,” the teacher explains with a smile. “If the basics are not clear, the practical application will not make sense.”
By starting with theory, students understand that agriculture is not just labour-intensive work; it is also observation and decision-making.
Step-by-step: Using the soil testing kit
The practical learning is structured carefully, allowing students to gain confidence before going into the field. Here is the step-by-step process they follow:
1. Collect representative soil samples
Students take samples from the field in a zigzag pattern to cover the entire area. They learn to avoid areas that might give misleading results, such as the base of trees, paths, or unusually wet or dry patches. By focusing on the central portions and taking multiple small samples, they create a composite that reflects the correct health of the soil.
At the academy, every child is allowed to work with the soil from an early age.
2. Prepare the soil
Once collected, the soil is carefully dried, either in the shade or under a fan. This step is important because any moisture can alter the chemical reactions in the test, affecting accuracy. Students watch closely as the soil changes texture and colour, learning to recognise when it is ready for analysis
3. Register farmer and field details in the app
Students carefully record every detail about the farmer and their land, including their name, contact number, type of crop, soil composition, irrigation methods, and the nature of the farm in the Soilsens app.
Each entry becomes part of a digital profile, creating a complete picture of the field. This not only keeps the data organised but also allows students to track changes over time, compare results across different farms, and provide farmers with personalised and reliable recommendations.
4. Set up the soil sample for testing
Students carefully place one gram of soil into small test tubes, preparing it for analysis. Specific solutions are then added to measure key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
“Each element tells a story about the soil. Nitrogen shows us how fertile the land is, phosphorus tells us about root growth potential, and potassium helps us understand the plant’s overall health,” explains Swapna.
In addition to these primary nutrients, students test for pH levels, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon, learning that each parameter affects how crops grow. “It is about understanding what the soil can really do and how we can guide farmers to make the best choices,” she adds.
5. Run the test
Once the soil samples are prepared and the solutions added, the kit connects to the digital platform to generate results. Simple tests, such as nitrogen, can provide answers in as little as five minutes, while a complete nutrient report, covering nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, pH, electrical conductivity, and organic carbon, takes around 30 minutes.
“This is a huge shift from traditional soil testing,” the teacher explains. “Earlier, farmers would have to wait for weeks, sometimes a month, to get results from government labs. By the time they received the report, the crop cycle had already progressed, making it hard to take timely action. Now, students can give farmers near-instant and reliable information that they can act on immediately.”
6. Interpret and record the results
After the results are generated, students learn to interpret them. By analysing the data, they identify deficiencies or imbalances in the soil and suggest corrective measures, such as the right type and amount of nutrients needed.
“To build confidence, students practise multiple times within the school. They often work through more than ten different soil samples, learning to read patterns, compare results, and understand the uniqueness of each soil type. By the time they step into a farmer’s field, they are prepared not just to test, but to explain, advise, and guide with confidence,” she explains.
Students take samples from the field in a zigzag pattern to cover the entire area.
7. Apply learning through community outreach
Only after repeated practice do students visit local farms, collect samples, test soil, and explain recommendations to farmers. This reinforces both technical knowledge and communication skills.
Taking learning beyond the classroom
The programme emphasises real-world application. Students are encouraged to step out, interact with farmers, and lead the soil testing initiative themselves.
“Our students are used to interacting with people and leading conversations,” explains Angela Aram, programme and community engagement coordinator. “By the time they visit the farmers, the students are confident. For them, community outreach is not just an extra activity; it is a core part of learning.”
Trust between students and farmers grows naturally. Many students and teachers come from nearby villages, which makes conversations more personal. Swapna notes, “Farmers do not always know what is in their soil. Some feel testing is not necessary, but when children explain it, they listen.”
The programme has involved 73 students, working with around 70 farmers across 13 villages.
Students who once hesitated to speak now confidently explain soil reports, interpret results and suggest solutions. For farmers, the initiative offers awareness and practical guidance. Many previously relied on guesswork for fertiliser application; now they understand what their soil truly needs, saving money and improving land health.
How other schools can replicate this model
Swapna and Angela highlight key steps for other schools that want to adopt this programme:
Introduce sustainability and soil health early
Concepts like nutrients, composting, and crop rotation should be introduced before practical testing. Schools must integrate agriculture into the curriculum. Treat farming as a core subject rather than an optional activity, because this guarantees continuity and reinforces the learning.
Students carefully record every detail about the farmer and their land.
Build strong theoretical foundations
Before heading outside, students should understand the science behind the soil. They learn about its composition, the role of different nutrients, and how these affect plant growth. “If students understand the theory first, the practical work makes sense,” Angela explains. “Without the basics, testing becomes meaningless.”
Expose students to multiple samples
Not all soil is the same. Each type has its own composition, nutrients, and quirks. Students must be encouraged to work with several samples, observing differences and comparing results. “This prepares them to handle variability and provide accurate guidance when they step into a farmer’s field,” explains the programme coordinator.
Teach interpretation alongside testing
Collecting data is only part of the learning. Students must be taught to interpret soil reports, identify deficiencies, and suggest corrective measures. “Understanding the results, reasoning scientifically, and advising farmers is as important as running the test itself,” she says.
By linking theory, practice, and interpretation, students move from being passive learners to confident problem-solvers.
Gradually introduce community outreach
When students are confident with testing and interpretation, they are ready for real-world application. Community outreach should be introduced gradually through visits to local farmers, collaborations with agricultural experts, and guidance from agri-tech providers.
“By the time they go to farmers, students are not hesitant,” Angela explains. “They communicate clearly, explain their findings, and engage in meaningful dialogue.”
Commit to the long term
Swapna advises that the initiative should not be a short-term project in schools. It should run throughout the year, allowing students to test, interpret and learn from multiple cycles of farming.
Angela emphasises, “Students need time to understand the soil, practise the tests, and interpret results accurately. This is not something they can learn in a single day or even a few weeks.”
A lesson that stays long after the day ends
At the end of each day, students gather to discuss observations, analyse results, and reflect on solutions. For them, soil testing is not just an assignment. It is a way of understanding the world, patterns, cause and effect, and the connection between knowledge and action.
Using a kit supported by the SoilSens platform, students can generate results in a short time.
Swapna reflects, “When children understand soil, they begin to understand life.”
By combining structured learning and community engagement, this model shows how schools can teach students to make a real difference. With curiosity, other schools can replicate this approach, turning a handful of soil into knowledge.
To know more about the initiative, read here.
All pictures courtesy Deep Griha Academy.
