Popularizing Resource Conservation Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture in Punjab

Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy, over two-third of the population is dependent upon agriculture in a direct or indirect way for its subsistence. As a result of hard work of the farmers and adoption of the recommended agricultural technologies, the production of food grains has improved. The increase in the production is due to the adoption of recommended agricultural practices and over exploitation of the natural resources without caring the law of nature. In the name of progress forests were fallen, lakes poisoned with hazardous chemicals and air polluted with obnoxious gases. The present cropping system is no more sustainable in Punjab. Sustainable agriculture aims at meeting the needs of present generation without hindering the natural resource base of future generation. To achieve sustainability, available inputs and natural resources must be used most efficiently with minimal damage to the environment. Efficient input use can be achieved by assessment of available inputs and conservation against possible losses, integrated use of inputs, maximizing input use efficiency by developing suitable site specific technologies (Abrol and Sangar, 2006). Further, constantly rising food demand and highly stressed production environment demand for infusion of technologies on a massive scale for resource conservation, improving input use efficiency diversification, post harvest processing, value addition and energy management to accelerate agricultural growth rate, enhance farmer’s income and generate employment.