Adaptations of sustainable agronomic practices in Punjab villages

Introduction

Introduction to global agriculture-Providing the essential food, fiber, and resources needed for life, economic growth, and social development, agriculture has been the bedrock of human civilization. Food security, the availability, accessibility, use, and stability of the food supply, has become one of the most pressing concerns of our time as the world's population is predicted to reach almost 10 billion by 2050 (Islam, 2025) [2] . The agricultural sector worldwide has experienced notable shifts away from traditional subsistence farming and towards intensive, automated, and technologically driven production techniques. Advances in agronomy, biotechnology, digital agriculture, and precision farming have changed agricultural systems all around the world and significantly increased output (Islam, 2025) [2] . Agriculture is intrinsically linked to food security, environmental sustainability, and rural development. However, modern agricultural systems face serious challenges including land degradation, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change, all of which threaten agricultural productivity and resilience. (Lampridi et al., 2019) [3] . Apart from its function in food production, global agriculture is vital to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life on Land (SDG 15), stressing its bigger contribution to both environmental sustainability and socioeconomic development (Mrudula & Keerthi, 2026) [4] . Agriculture forms the foundation of the global food supply. It is in charge of creating most of the food we consume, including fruits, vegetables, animal products, and essential crops including rice, wheat, and maize. According to the FAO, agriculture, which hires more than a billion people worldwide, is the largest employer in the world. In addition to its financial

Introduction to agriculture in Punjab

Agriculture is the foundation of Punjab's economy, and it has been vital to the state's socioeconomic development, rural livelihoods, and food production systems. Given its rich alluvial soils, extensive irrigation system, and ideal agro-climatic circumstances, the state has long been considered among India's most productive agricultural region (Rafie & Kumar, 2020) [5] . Punjab is a strategically important region of the country, based on the output and productivity of the two primary food grain crops: rice (Oryza sativa L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Punjab's agriculture was primarily subsistence-based before the Green Revolution, marked by low productivity, sustenance farming, and minimal mechanization. By increasing wheat and rice production in Punjab, the Green Revolution helped India solve the reoccurring food shortages of the 1960s. (H. Singh, 2023) [6] . Although agriculture in Punjab has been successful, it is now having major issues such as soil degradation, groundwater depletion, nutritional imbalance, stubble burning, loss of biodiversity, and rising expenses for production. These difficulties have caused doubts regarding the environmental sustainability of the state's intensive agriculture (R. Singh et al., 2024) [7] . Recent studies underline that changing from an input-intensive cereal monoculture to more diversified, climate-resilient, and sustainable agricultural systems will determine the future of agriculture in Punjab. Understanding the evolution, achievements, and developing problems of Punjab agriculture is therefore crucial for designing future agricultural research and policy measures (Rafie & Kumar, 2020) [5] .

Objectives-1)

To assess the extent of adoption of sustainable agronomic practices among farmers in selected villages of Punjab. 2) To analyze the socio-economic, institutional, and technical factors influencing farmers' adaptation of sustainable agronomic practices in Punjab villages. 3) To evaluate the constraints faced by farmers in adopting sustainable agronomic practices and suggest strategies to enhance their adoption for sustainable agricultural development.

Materials and Methods

The study was undertaken in the Kharar block of SAS Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Rupnagar. Comprehensive interactions were conducted with farmers to gather information regarding their socio-economic characteristics and the agronomic practices adopted throughout the year. Data were collected through interviews carried out at both farmers' residences and agricultural fields. A wellstructured questionnaire was prepared to systematically evaluate each parameter, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all aspects related to farming operations. The information obtained was compiled, classified, and analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques. Various tools such as percentages, bar graphs, pie charts, and other graphical representations were used to present the findings in a clear and systematic manner.

Results and Discussion

Agronomic practices in Punjab have been dominated by the rice-wheat cropping system, which has contributed significantly to agricultural productivity but has also raised concerns related to soil degradation, groundwater depletion, and declining factor productivity (Dhanda et al., 2022) [1] . With the help of the survey taken by the farmers in the RAWE programme from the villages of Bajheri, Deh kalan, Mehmadpur, Karimpur, Kaluandi, Dholan Majra in Punjab, information was gathered regarding the crops grown and the practices followed. The findings revealed that rice was the predominant crop during the Kharif season, while wheat dominated in the Rabi season. Some farmers also cultivated Fodder (berseem), Maize, Sugarcane, Potato, Sorghum, Mustard, Few vegetables (for their own usage). A review of the statistics on crop patterns shows that wheat and rice were produced by all 64 farmers polled (100%), therefore proving that these two crops make up the main cropping system in the research area. Among other crops, 79.69% of farmers grew mustard, making it the most important second crop behind wheat and rice. Given the significance of livestock-based farming in the region, 68.75% of respondents grew fodder (berseem). 15.63% of farmers grew potatoes, while 20.31% grew maize, indicating a somewhat low adoption level.

Major Crops grown in the field

According to the survey of farmers, sorghum (3.13%) and sugarcane (6.25%) have very little presence as minor crops. The data overall point to the predominance of a wheat-rice farming system with some diversification through mustard and feed crops, while the output of maize, potato, sugarcane, and sorghum stayed rather low in the researched towns.

Crop Varieties 1) Wheat varieties grown

After surveying the farmers, we learned about the different varieties of wheat grown in the villages. Among these,

Sr

Other varieties grown

In maize, both Ganga-5 and PMH-1 varieties are cultivated; however, PMH-1 is the predominantly adopted variety in the surveyed region, as reported by local farmers. Punjab Chari-1 is widely grown as the major fodder variety of sorghum. For sugarcane, CoJ 64 is the dominant variety under cultivation, while Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Bahar are the most commonly adopted potato varieties, according to field observations and regional cultivation records. The data on planting techniques showed that farmers used several approaches depending on the crop type and agronomic needs. The use of both contemporary and traditional approaches by farmers is shown by the planting of wheat and maize using both seed drilling and broadcasting methods. The only way to cultivate rice was through transplantation, which remains the primary technique for paddy production in the study area. The fact that broadcasting was the main way berseem (fodder) and sorghum were planted suggests that it is the preferred approach for growing fodder crops. Potatoes and sugarcane were grown using the ridge and furrow method, which is great for root development, water management, and crop yields. Line sowing (drilling) was the main way that mustard was planted, which suggests that better farming methods were being used to grow oilseed. According to the data, farmers' choice of sowing techniques relied on the unique needs of every crop; the most often used methods of crop establishment were seed drilling, broadcasting, transplanting, and ridge and furrow. The data revealed that most farmers (60.94%) used fertilizers at the recommended amount, indicating broad acceptance of recommended nutrient management methods in the study region. But 25.00% of farmers utilized fertilizers at levels below those advised, maybe as a result of limited input availability, financial limitations, or a lack of knowledge of optimal practices. The meager 14.06% of farmers who applied fertilizers at levels above those advised suggests that some respondents might have overused them, therefore influencing environmental sustainability and input efficiency. Overall, the findings indicate that although most farmers did, a sizable number of them did not adhere to recommended fertilizer application techniques-either by under-applying or over-applying.

Method of sowing

Seed rate

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The irrigation management data showed that most of the studied crops were irrigated by tubewells or groundwater, which shows that the region relies heavily on groundwater resources for agriculture. Flood irrigation was the main way that wheat, rice, potatoes, sorghum, and mustard got water. For berseem, maize, and sugarcane, people used the check basin/furrow method. The frequency of irrigation differed based on the crop's water requirements. Rice had the most irrigation (6-7), followed by maize and potatoes (5-6), which implies they need more water. While mustard needed four to five irrigations, sugarcane and sorghum needed three to four. The lowest irrigation frequencies were required for wheat and berseem (2-3). The total findings indicate crop-specific irrigation regimes, high groundwater reliance, and the widespread use of traditional surface irrigation methods among farmers. Based on the data on organic manure utilization, it was evident that farmers utilized several organic nutrient sources depending on their crop needs and available resources. With application rates ranging from 7 to 9 ton per acre, farmyard manure (FYM) was the main organic fertiliser used for wheat, berseem, sugarcane, and potatoes. Green manuring rice implies that adding organic nutrients in situ helped to sustain soil fertility. In maize and sorghum, poultry waste was applied at a rate of 2-4 tons per acre; however, mustard received a combination of poultry waste and FYM at a considerably greater dosage of 9-10 tons per acre. Based on the data on inorganic nutrient management, farmers utilized a mix of vital fertilizers (N, P, K) with chosen micronutrients, depending on the demands of the crop. The inorganic fertilizers most often applied to important crops were urea and DAP, therefore highlighting their essential role in controlling nitrogen and phosphorus levels. The intensive nutrient application in cereal crops is reflected in the comparatively greater doses of urea (140-145 kg/ha) that rice and wheat received, as well as 50 kg/ha DAP. Berseem was fertilized with SSP, urea, and boron, therefore highlighting the involvement of both macronutrients and micronutrients in fodder development. The fertilizer mix for maize was somewhat diverse, made up of MOP, DAP, urea, and magnesium, while sugarcane got a mix of MOP, zinc, and SSP, therefore showcasing cropspecific nutrient management techniques. Potatoes got urea, DAP, and potassium; sorghum and mustard got urea and DAP. The inclusion of micronutrients like zinc, boron, and magnesium in some crops is additional evidence of farmers' awareness of balanced fertilisation. The findings suggest that inorganic nutrient management in the research area largely relied on fertiliser mixes customized to each crop, with urea and DAP functioning as the primary inputs employed to enhance crop yield. Rice Hispa 8

Irrigation management

Crop

Source of Irrigation Method of Irrigation Number of Irrigations

Nutrient management-

Major

Field data on major pests revealed that aphids were the most often mentioned pest, with 29.69% of farmers (19 respondents) reporting it; followed by grasshoppers (23.44%) and termites (17.19%). 12.50% of farmers reported rice hispa, whereas less frequent were stem borer (10.94%) and shoot borer (6.25%). According to the findings, sucking and chewing insects had a major influence on crop health in the research region. The frequency of pests differed between fields overall, with aphids being the most often reported problem by farmers. The data showed that farmers regularly used Metribuzin, Butachlor, Atrazine, Pendimethalin, and 2,4 -D for weed management in several crops. These herbicides were used to control both grassy and broadleaf weeds, therefore lowering weed competition and encouraging greater crop growth. The data imply that farmers in the research area are mostly using chemical weed control techniques.

Harvesting and Yield Yield

The yield of major crops in the study area varied depending on crop type, input use, and management practices followed by farmers. Higher yields were generally associated with the adoption of recommended agronomic practices, including proper fertilizer application, irrigation scheduling, and pest management. Overall, yield performance reflected the combined influence of resource availability, farmer knowledge, and environmental conditions.

Harvesting

Harvesting of major crops in the study area was carried out using both manual labour and mechanized methods, depending on crop type and resource availability. Timely harvesting was observed to be crucial for minimizing losses and maintaining grain quality. The adoption of improved harvesting techniques contributed to better efficiency and reduced post-harvest losses among farmers.

Conclusion

The study stresses that the rice-wheat cropping system, which continues to be the foundation of farm production, is the primary characteristic of agriculture in the Punjab settlements researched. Though farmers have adopted a number of recommended agronomic techniques including appropriate seed rates, judicious fertilizer application, and crop-specific irrigation schedules, they continue to rely heavily on groundwater and traditional flood irrigation methods, therefore generating concerns about the long-term viability of these practices.

Including both organic fertilizers (FYM, green manure, chicken dung) and inorganic fertilizers (urea, DAP, micronutrients) suggests a slow shift toward balanced nutrient management; nevertheless, differences in adoption underline the need of more knowledge and extension support. The occurrence of pests and diseases still influences crop output, which has led to the adoption of chemical management strategies.

Though farmers have somewhat embraced sustainable agricultural practices, the study stresses the need of improving resource-use efficiency, diversifying cropping systems, and promoting ecologically sensitive techniques to guarantee the long-term viability of agriculture in Punjab.

References

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