Anil Mahajan – författare

This title examines fundamental concepts and practices of sustainable agriculture with focus on soil management, water conservation, and watershed development. It addresses organic farming systems and integrated nutrient management including use of bio-fertilizers, vermicompost, and natural pest control methods. Chapters explore role of agroforestry systems and cover crops in maintaining soil health and ecosystem sustainability, and also:Examines fundamental concepts of sustainable agriculture with focus on soil tillage practices, water management, and watershed development for sustaining crop productivity and food securityAddresses organic farming systems and integrated nutrient management approaches including use of bio-fertilizers, vermicompost, and earthworms for sustainable agricultural productionCovers natural pest management strategies and biological control methods for checking crop pests without chemical interventions in sustainable farming systemsExplores role of agroforestry systems and cover crops in maintaining soil health, biodiversity conservation, and sustainability of agricultural ecosystemsExamines indigenous technological knowledge and traditional farming practices with emphasis on their relevance and application in modern sustainable agricultureThis title has been co-published with NIPA. T&F does not sell or distribute the print editions in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri lanka.

Agriculture is the main occupation in India and about 75% of its population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihood. It is the dominant sector that contributes 18% of the gross domestic product. Thus, agriculture is the foundation of the Indian economy. The maximum share of Indian exports is also from the agriculture sector. As the population of the country is increasing trem- dously, approximately at the rate of 19 million every year over the existing popu- tion of more than 1 billion (approximately 1. 18 billion), the food grain production must necessarily be increased. This can be done by increasing crop production to match the population growth rate of 2. 2% per annum, which is expected to stabilize at 1. 53 billion around 2050. There is no doubt that the Green Revolution in India during the late 1960s brought self-sufficiency in food grain production, mainly through the increase in rice and wheat crop yields – the two main crops of the country which play an important role from food security point of view. However, the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, and the neglect of organic manures for these crops, has resulted in the deterioration of physical, chemical and biological health of the ri- and wheat-growing soils. Owing to the deterioration of the health of these soils, the productivity of the rice–wheat cropping system has now either got reduced or in some places has become constant for the last decade.