Green Cultivation Practices to Promote Sustainable Crop Production in India: An Overview

Abstract: Healthy soil forms the foundation on which sustainable agriculture is established. The Green Revolution technologies have more than doubled the yield potential of cereals, especially rice and wheat, in India. However, conventional chemical farming practices, involving the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, damage beneficial soil microorganisms, alter soil properties, increase crop production costs, and are not sustainable over the long term. The future food security and economic independence of the country depend on enhancing the productivity of bio-physical resources through sustainable production methods, improving crop tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, and minimizing crop and post-harvest losses. Traditional agricultural practices such as growing competitive crop varieties, modifying sowing and planting techniques, adjusting sowing times and directions, mulching with organic residues, using green and brown manures, and adopting reduced or zero tillage create unfavorable conditions for weed seed germination and growth. These methods can play a crucial role in designing sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural systems, increasing the chances that rural communities will accept, develop, and maintain these innovations. In this regard, green cultivation practices of crop production are considered environmentally safe, selective, biodegradable, economical, and renewable alternatives suitable for organic farming systems. Bio-intensive or organic agriculture aims to achieve the highest yields from the smallest land area while simultaneously enhancing and maintaining soil fertility by maximizing biomass production per unit area. Therefore, environment friendly agricultural technologies that ensure food safety and do not harm nature are essential for food security, improving human health, and conserving and rehabilitating the environment for the well-being of future generations. This paper reviews the principles of natural farming, highlighting its eco-friendly nature and sustainability.

Eco-friendly agricultural practices, Organic farming, Sustainable crop production

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