Cookie Policy

How we use cookies and similar technologies on our website

Last updated: 30 March 2026

1. What Are Cookies

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites function properly, improve user experience, and provide information to website owners. Cookies may be set by the website you are visiting ("first-party cookies") or by third parties whose services the website uses ("third-party cookies").

Similar technologies — such as pixels, local storage, and session storage — may also be used to collect and store information. In this policy, we refer to all such technologies collectively as "cookies."

2. How We Use Cookies

Soil Health Foundation uses cookies strictly for two purposes:

  • Essential functionality: To remember your cookie consent preference so that we do not repeatedly ask for your consent each time you visit.
  • Analytics: To understand how visitors interact with our website, which pages are most popular, and how we can improve our content and outreach efforts. We use Google Analytics (GA4) for this purpose.

We do not use cookies for advertising, marketing, or user profiling of any kind.

3. Types of Cookies We Use

The following table provides details of the cookies used on our website:

Cookie Name Provider Purpose Type Duration
_ga Google Analytics Distinguishes unique users by assigning a randomly generated identifier Analytics 2 years
_ga_* Google Analytics Maintains session state and tracks interactions across pages Analytics 2 years
Cookie consent preference soilhealthfoundation.com Stores your cookie consent choice so it is remembered on future visits Essential 1 year

4. Essential Cookies

Essential cookies are necessary for the basic functioning of our website. Currently, we use a single essential cookie to store your cookie consent preference. This cookie ensures that you are not shown the consent banner repeatedly and that your choice is respected throughout your browsing session and on subsequent visits.

Essential cookies cannot be disabled, as they are required to deliver the core functionality you have requested.

5. Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to collect anonymised statistical data about how visitors use our website. This helps us understand visitor behaviour, identify popular content, and improve our website to better serve our mission of promoting soil health across India.

Google Analytics collects information such as:

  • Pages visited and time spent on each page
  • How you arrived at our website (e.g., search engine, direct visit, or referral)
  • Your approximate geographic location (country and city level only)
  • Device type, browser, and operating system
  • Interactions with website elements

IP Anonymisation: We have enabled IP anonymisation in Google Analytics. This means your full IP address is never stored. Google truncates your IP address within the European Economic Area and India before any storage or processing takes place, ensuring your privacy is protected.

Analytics cookies are only set if you provide your consent through our cookie consent banner.

6. Third-Party Cookies

The only third-party cookies on our website are those set by Google Analytics. These cookies are governed by Google's own privacy practices. We do not share any personal data with Google beyond what is automatically collected through the analytics service.

You can review Google's privacy policy at https://policies.google.com/privacy and their information on how Google uses data from partner sites at https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.

7. How to Manage Cookies

Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can choose to block or delete cookies at any time. Below are instructions for the most commonly used browsers:

  • Google Chrome: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data. Here you can block third-party cookies, clear cookies on exit, or manage exceptions for specific websites.
  • Mozilla Firefox: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data. You can choose your preferred level of cookie protection (Standard, Strict, or Custom) and clear stored cookies.
  • Apple Safari: Go to Preferences > Privacy. You can block all cookies, prevent cross-site tracking, or manage stored website data individually.
  • Microsoft Edge: Go to Settings > Cookies and site permissions > Manage and delete cookies and site data. You can block third-party cookies or choose to clear cookies each time you close the browser.

Please note that if you use multiple devices or browsers, you will need to adjust your cookie settings on each one separately.

8. Google Analytics Opt-Out

In addition to managing cookies through your browser settings, you can opt out of Google Analytics tracking across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. This add-on instructs Google Analytics not to send any information about your visit to Google Analytics, and is available for all major browsers.

9. Impact of Disabling Cookies

Our website is designed to function fully without analytics cookies. If you choose to decline or disable cookies:

  • All pages, content, and features of the website will continue to work as expected.
  • Your visit will simply not be recorded in our analytics data.
  • You may see the cookie consent banner again on future visits if the essential consent cookie is also removed.

Disabling cookies will not affect your ability to access any information or resources on the Soil Health Foundation website.

10. Do Not Track

Some browsers offer a "Do Not Track" (DNT) setting that sends a signal to websites requesting that your browsing activity not be tracked. We respect Do Not Track headers. When we detect a DNT signal from your browser, we do not load analytics cookies or tracking scripts for your session.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, changes in technology, or updates to applicable laws and regulations. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we use cookies.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us: