Conservation agriculture Future for rice-wheat cropping systems in Indo Gangetic plants

Abstract

Indo-Gangetic plain is one of the most fertile regions of India. These had been the focal point of the Green revolution and thus were able to satisfy the rising food demand of increasing population. However, post Green revolution has witnessed a negative impact of the intense Ricewheat cropping system and simultaneous use of high doses of fertilizer and pesticides. Now the time is to rejuvenate the soils of these plains to have sustainability in production for generations to come. Conservation agriculture with its three pillars i.e. conservation tillage, soil cover and crop diversification has the potential to reverse the ill caused to these fertile soils.