Improved Measures for Conservation Agriculture Practices in Rice Farming System

Abstract

Conservation Agriculture is a concept for resource saving agricultural crop production to achieve sustained production and conserving the environment. Function of conservation agriculture is based on three key principles, viz. effective resource conservation, input optimization and optimum productivity of the farming system. Certainly, the advancement in conservation agriculture is possible through genetic improvement in crops and varieties, which are suitable for better adaptation to different farming system environments. Besides, improved varieties and technologies can be assumed to improve productivity with an optimized input level. In the case of rice, resource conservation is possible with proper technological intervention. Water is the one of the most important factor, which governs the productivity of rice in Asia. In the concept of conservation agriculture, rice growing systems such as aerobic rice, direct seeded rice, system of rice cultivation and alternate wetting and drying were introduced to conserve water. Several problems come to exist in rice growing environment under limited water such as pest, disease and weeds, which may reduce productivity. In this paper the problems associated with rice growing under limited water resources are discussed and possible solutions are analyzed.