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Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Sustainable Agriculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 June 2023) | Viewed by 54217

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Anup Das

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Leading Guest Editor
ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Lembucherra 799210, Tripura, India
Interests: conservation agriculture; hill farming systems; climate resilient agriculture
Dr. Subhash Babu

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Assistant Guest Editor
Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110 012, India
Interests: climate smart agri-food production systems; precision nutrients management; carbon sequestration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jayanta Layek

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Assistant Guest Editor
ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Umiam 793103, Meghalaya, India
Interests: organic farming; conservation agriculture; biochar; jhum farming
Dr. Raghavendra Singh

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Assistant Guest Editor
Division of Crop Production, ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur 208024, Uttar Pradesh, India
Interests: conservation agriculture; designing resilient cropping system; integrated farming system; organic farming
Dr. Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti

E-Mail Website
Assistant Guest Editor
Division of Crop Production, ICAR- Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur 440010, Maharashtra, India
Interests: organic farming; integrated farming system; conservation agriculture

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Globally, the agricultural production system faces multipronged challenges of soil degradation risk by erosion and nutrient loss, a sharp decline in soil organic carbon pool (SOC), climate change, a shift in pest complex, yield stagnation, energy intensiveness, and poor economic returns, making farming a non-profitable enterprise. Thus, there is an urgent need to emphasize the conservation effective technologies, sustainable intensification, climate-resilient, and eco-efficient agriculture to achieve the numerous millennium sustainable development goals (SDGs). Conservation agriculture (CA) is one such approach to potentially address multiple challenges and enhance crop productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability. CA-centric soil and crop management practices can play a vital role in addressing issues related to agri-food insecurity and environmental sustainability. Fundamental pillars of CA like minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and rational crop diversification/rotation may have a positive impact on soil functionality, agri-food production, and environmental quality. CA offers an opportunity to rehabilitate degrading natural resources, save time, labor, and energy besides reducing greenhouse gas  (GHG) emissions, production costs, making farming a resource-efficient and profitable venture. Despite various economic, environmental, and agronomic benefits, the field level adoption of CA is still very low, especially in developing countries. Yield penalty during the initial phase of CA, competing interest with crop residues, lack of location-specific specialized machinery requirements, and perennial weed problems are the major bottlenecks in CA adoption. Hence, farmer-centric participatory approach would be a promising option for designing conservation effective crop and soil management practices. Worldwide CA is practiced in ~ 170 countries covering more than >200 million ha area. However, nutrient stratifications, herbicides resistance build-up, insect pests, and diseases problem are emerging concerns for upscaling of CA. To overcome these issues random tillage is a suggestive option but it challenges the basic principles of CA. Furthermore, CA modulates the soil properties and alters the microenvironmental condition which may encourage the emergence of new pathogens, insect and pest scenarios which may affect crop productivity in a long run.  Breeding of new genotypes also warranted a suite with a new micro-environment. The carbon sequestration ability of CA was also questioned, as it is also regulated by soil and environmental conditions. Information on CA performance including contemporary resource conservation practices (like sustainable soil and water conservation practices, integrated nutrient management, agroforestry, integrated farming systems, biodiversity conservation, and other related aspects for sustainable agri-food production and resource conservation) from diverse ecosystems like hills, mountains, arid, irrigated/rainfed ecosystems also needs to be thoroughly understood from the viewpoint of agri-food production and ecosystem sustainability. Original innovative research/reviews articles spanning the multiple issues related to food production and CA in different agro-ecologies under changing climatic scenarios are welcomed in this Special Issue.

Dr. Anup Das
Dr. Subhash Babu
Dr. Jayanta Layek
Dr. Raghavendra Singh
Dr. Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • environmental sustainability
  • sustainable agriculture
  • diversified cropping
  • soil functionality
  • precision input management
  • soil and water conservation
  • integrated farming system

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Published Papers (16 papers)

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18 pages, 9062 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Dynamic Changes and Main Obstacle Factors of Grain Supply and Demand Balance in Northwest China
by Xian Liu and Yueyue Xu
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 10835; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410835 - 10 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1224
Abstract
It is of great significance to systematically analyze the characteristics of the regional grain supply and demand balance, reveal the influence mechanism of crop sustainable development, and put forward effective countermeasures to achieve the goal of food security. This paper aims at addressing [...] Read more.
It is of great significance to systematically analyze the characteristics of the regional grain supply and demand balance, reveal the influence mechanism of crop sustainable development, and put forward effective countermeasures to achieve the goal of food security. This paper aims at addressing the unique geographical characteristics of Northwest China and the current lack of research on its food security. This paper systematically analyzes the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of the regional grain production, consumption and food security level. The main factors affecting regional food security are examined, and we put forward effective suggestions to promote regional sustainable production. The results show that the average annual growth rate of grain production in Northwest China from 2000 to 2021 was 3.4%, and the years of increased grain production accounted for 77.3%. The main reason for the increase in grain production was the increase in yield per unit area (average annual growth of 2.8%), of which the rice yield was the largest, up to 7.3 t/ha. Maize and wheat accounted for 60.7% and 23.4% of the total grain production in the region, respectively. From the perspective of the regional structure, Inner Mongolia contributed the most to the grain production in the region, accounting for 33.5% of the total output. Xinjiang, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and Qinghai contributed 17.1%, 15.4%, 15.2%, 13.0%, 4.5% and 1.3%, respectively, to grain production. From the perspective of the dietary structure, the grain consumption pattern in Northwest China has gradually changed from raw grains to animal products, which has undoubtedly increased the regional demand for grain. At present, since the increase in output is greater than the demand for food, the food self-sufficiency rate in the region has increased from 0.81 to 1.28. Since the grain yield per unit area in Xinjiang and Ningxia has a relative advantage over other provinces, to achieve regional food security for a long time, moderately increasing the grain planting area in these two provinces will help to promote regional food security. In addition, as the grains produced in the region are mainly wheat and corn, the yield level of wheat and corn in Xinjiang and Qinghai has a comparative advantage within Northwest China. Therefore, moderately increasing the planting area of wheat and corn in Xinjiang and Qinghai is of great significance in ensuring regional food security. The research results can provide theoretical support for the realization of regional food security and provide a reference for other regions in the world, to better serve global food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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17 pages, 4817 KiB  
Article
The Combined Application of Biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) Enhanced the Physical and Chemical Properties of Soil and Rice Productivity in Indonesia
by Mulyadi and Ligeng Jiang
Sustainability 2023, 15(12), 9782; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15129782 - 19 Jun 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1878
Abstract
Plant productivity, soil quality, and nitrogen uptake can be increased via the combined application of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Here, we evaluate the effects of the combination of four different rates of biochar (B) (B0: 0 t ha−1 [...] Read more.
Plant productivity, soil quality, and nitrogen uptake can be increased via the combined application of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Here, we evaluate the effects of the combination of four different rates of biochar (B) (B0: 0 t ha−1, B1: 20 t ha−1, B2: 40 t ha−1, and B3: 60 t ha−1) and four rates of AMF (M) (M0: 0 g polybag−1, M1: 15 g polybag−1, M2: 30 g polybag−1, and M3: 45 g polybag−1) on the rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar Trisakti, grown in polybags using a completely randomized design with three replications. Our results show that the combination of 60 t Biochar ha−1 and 45 g AMF polybag−1 (B3M3) was the best treatment for improving some parameters, such as soil porosity (with the highest values of 68.25 and 68.45%), BD (0.88 and 0.88 g cm−3), pH (6.77 and 6.76), SOM (3.05 and 3.02%), TN (0.48 and 0.47%), AP (31.04 and 31.15 ppm), AK (235.11 and 235.20 ppm), plant height (116.78 and 117 cm), SPAD chlorophyll at maturity stage (43.59 and 43.88), flag leaf area (15.12 and 15.33 cm2), root length (42.10 and 42.17 cm), root volume (53.79 and 53.08 cm3), and shoot dry matter (59.29 and 59.66 g), in the early and late season, respectively. However, the combination of 20 t Biochar ha−1 and 45 g AMF polybag−1 (B1M3) was the best treatment for enhancing the tiller number with the maximum values (52.67 and 53.22), flowering day (67 and 66 day), root dry matter (32.37 and 32.51 g), panicle number (34.67 and 35.21), panicle length (21.44 and 21.67 cm), 1000 grain weight (41.26 and 41.37 g), and nitrogen uptake (32.37 and 32.51 g polybag−1), in the early and late season, respectively. These findings indicate that rice growth and productivity, the physical and chemical soil characteristics, and nitrogen uptake were better with the combined application of biochar and AMF treatments than sole biochar, sole AMF, or the control treatments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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19 pages, 3694 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Conservation Agriculture Influences Weed Diversity, Water Productivity, Grain Yield, and Energy Budgeting of Wheat in North-Western Indo-Gangetic Plains
by Tarun Sharma, Tapas Kumar Das, Pragati Pramanik Maity, Sunanda Biswas, Susama Sudhishri, Prabhu Govindasamy, Rishi Raj, Suman Sen, Teekam Singh, Amrit Kumar Paul, Arkaprava Roy, Subhash Babu and Neelmani Rathi
Sustainability 2023, 15(9), 7290; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097290 - 27 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1929
Abstract
Wheat is grown in an area totalling 31.1 million hectares in India. The North-western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) constitutes the major share of area and production of wheat in India and is known as the wheat belt of India. However, sustaining wheat production under [...] Read more.
Wheat is grown in an area totalling 31.1 million hectares in India. The North-western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) constitutes the major share of area and production of wheat in India and is known as the wheat belt of India. However, sustaining wheat production under declining/lower resource-use efficiency in the existing rice–wheat cropping system has led to considerations about diversifying this system with a pigeon pea–wheat system (PWS) in the IGP of India. However, little or no information is available on the impact of CA-based PWS on weed dynamics, productivity, profitability, and resource-use efficiencies. Therefore, we studied these aspects in wheat under a long-term (~12 years) conservation agriculture (CA)-based PWS. Treatments were conventional till flatbed (CT), ZT permanent narrow beds (PNBR & PNB), broad beds (PBBR & PBB), and flat beds (PFBR & PFB) with and without residue (R) retention and different N levels (75% and 100% of the recommended N). The results showed that the Shannon–Weiner index and the Simpson dominance index were higher under the CA system in 2021–2022 than in 2010–2011 and 2015–2016, indicating a change in weed diversity over the period. Furthermore, the Sorensen similarity index showed that there was not much difference in weed diversity for 2010–2011. However, in 2015–2016 and 2021–2022 respectively, only 89% (0.89) and 62% (0.62) of weed species were common to both CT and CA systems, indicating a shift in weed species in the long-term CA system in 2021–2022. Residue retention and N dose decreased weed density at 30 days after sowing (DAS). All the CA-based (PFBR100N, PBBR100N, PNBR100N, PFBR75N, PBBR75N, and PNBR75N) treatments reduced the weed density and dry weight compared to CT at 30 DAS. Wheat grain yield and net returns increased by 11.6–14.9% and 19.4–23.8% over CT in CA treatments, of which PFBR100N and PBBR100N were superior. The PBBR100N and PBBR75N systems had water productivity significantly higher than CT. Residue retention in ZT permanent beds reduced energy productivity in CA than CT and no residue treatments. In the 12th year, CA with 75% N (PFBR75N, PBBR75N, PNBR75N) resulted in a higher partial factor productivity of N and total NPK applied. Contrast analysis showed that 75% N was comparable with 100% N on crop, water, and energy productivities and 75% N was superior to 100% N on partial factor productivity of N and total NPK. Thus, the permanent broad bed with residue and 100% N in the initial years and 75% N in later years can be adopted in the north-western IGP for better weed suppression, higher yield, profitability, and resource-use efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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27 pages, 3960 KiB  
Article
Intensification of Rice-Fallow Agroecosystem of South Asia with Oilseeds and Pulses: Impacts on System Productivity, Soil Carbon Dynamics and Energetics
by Sushanta Kumar Naik, Santosh Sambhaji Mali, Bal Krishna Jha, Rakesh Kumar, Surajit Mondal, Janki Sharan Mishra, Arun Kumar Singh, Ashis Kumar Biswas, Arbind Kumar Choudhary, Jaipal Singh Choudhary, Hansraj Hans, Anup Das, Subhash Babu, Jayanta Layek, Ashutosh Upadhyaya, Bhagwati Prasad Bhatt and Suresh Kumar Chaudhari
Sustainability 2023, 15(2), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021054 - 6 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2275
Abstract
Rice-fallow systems in South Asian countries play a pivotal role in increasing agricultural production. However, the productivity of these system is largely challenged by deteriorating soil health and limited residual soil moistures in dry-periods, precluding the possibility of winter and/or spring season crops [...] Read more.
Rice-fallow systems in South Asian countries play a pivotal role in increasing agricultural production. However, the productivity of these system is largely challenged by deteriorating soil health and limited residual soil moistures in dry-periods, precluding the possibility of winter and/or spring season crops after rice harvest. This investigation explores the possibilities of including winter and/or spring crops through conservation agriculture (CA)-based management practices and evaluates its effect on soil carbon dynamic, system productivity, energy and carbon budgeting. Field experiments were conducted at a farmer’s field in participatory modes at Chene Village, Jharkhand, India, and had five treatments comprising (1) fallow-land [FL]; (2) transplanted puddle rice (TPR)-fallow (winter)-fallow (summer), a typical cultivation practice of this region [RF]; (3) TPR–conventional-till mustard–conventional-till blackgram [CP]; (4) CA with zero-till transplanted rice (ZTTR)-ZT mustard–ZT blackgram [CA1]; (5) CA with zero-till direct seeded rice (ZTDSR)-ZT mustard–ZT blackgram [CA2]. Results revealed that CA2 comprising full CA practice of growing direct seeded rice, mustard and blackgram under ZT increased total soil organic carbon (TSOC) of 0–0.6 m soil layer by 14.3% and 10.3% over RF and CP, respectively. The C-sequestration rate was higher in CA treatments and varied from 0.55 to 0.64 Mg C ha−1 year−1. The system rice equivalent yield in CA2 during the initial four years was lower than CP but it was 23.7% higher over CP in fifth year. The CA-based system (CA2) enhanced the water productivity of rice, mustard and blackgram by 7.0%, 23.6% and 14.1% over CP, respectively. The CA2 treatment, having higher system productivity, better C-sequestration potential, lower C-footprint, higher energy and water productivity has very good potential for sustaining soil health and crop yield of rice-fallow systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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13 pages, 1601 KiB  
Article
Impact of Live Mulch-Based Conservation Tillage on Soil Properties and Productivity of Summer Maize in Indian Himalayas
by Anup Das, Subhash Babu, Raghavendra Singh, Sanjeev Kumar, Sanjay Singh Rathore, Vinod K. Singh, Mrinmoy Datta, Sanjay K. Yadav, Owais Ali Wani and Devideen Yadav
Sustainability 2022, 14(19), 12078; https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912078 - 24 Sep 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1949
Abstract
Food security and soil sustainability are the prime challenges to researchers and policy planners across the globe. The task is much more daunting in the fragile ecosystem of the Eastern Himalayan region of India. Soil disturbance from conventional tillage reduces soil productivity and [...] Read more.
Food security and soil sustainability are the prime challenges to researchers and policy planners across the globe. The task is much more daunting in the fragile ecosystem of the Eastern Himalayan region of India. Soil disturbance from conventional tillage reduces soil productivity and is not sustainable and environmentally friendly. Conservation tillage is regarded as the best crop production practice in the Indian Himalayas, where soil is very easily erodible. Zero tillage alone encourages the growth of different species of weed flora in fragile hill ecosystems. However, live mulching of a pulse crop under zero tillage may be a very beneficial practice, as it aids several soil quality benefits and promotes root proliferation with good crop harvest. Hence, a field investigation was carried out for 3 consecutive years to assess the impact of live mulch-based conservation tillage on soil properties and productivity of summer maize. Five tillage practices, viz. no-till (NT), NT and cowpea coculture live mulch (CLM), minimum tillage (MT), MT+CLM, and conventional tillage (CT), were assessed in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed that continuous adoption of MT+CLM had the lowest bulk density (1.31 and 1.37 Mg m−3) and maximum water holding capacity (48.49% and 43.1%) and moisture content (22.4% and 25%) at 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers, respectively, after 3 years. The infiltration rate (2.35 mm min−1) was also maximum under MT+CLM, followed by NT+CLM. MT+LMC had 13.8 and 27.15% higher available nitrogen and phosphorus, respectively, than CT at 0–10 cm soil depth. The MT+CLM gave a significantly higher maize grain yield (2.63 Mg ha−1), followed by NT+CLM (2.63 Mg ha−1) over the others. A cowpea green pod yield of 1.65 Mg ha−1 was also obtained from the legume coculture. Thus, the study found that live mulch of cowpea under MT/NT improved soil quality and subsequently led to greater productivity of summer maize in the Himalayan region of India. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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18 pages, 2278 KiB  
Article
Pioneering Farmers Value Agronomic Performance of Cover Crops and Their Impacts on Soil and Environment
by Pirjo Peltonen-Sainio, Lauri Jauhiainen, Tuomas J. Mattila, Juuso Joona, Tony Hydén and Hannu Känkänen
Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 8067; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14138067 - 1 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2019
Abstract
Cover crops (CCs) have aroused a great deal of interest as a multifunctional measure to improve the sustainability of agriculture. Understanding farmers’ views are important for future farm-scale implementation. A farmer survey was carried out in Finland in 2021 with the aims to [...] Read more.
Cover crops (CCs) have aroused a great deal of interest as a multifunctional measure to improve the sustainability of agriculture. Understanding farmers’ views are important for future farm-scale implementation. A farmer survey was carried out in Finland in 2021 with the aims to gather farmers’ views on agronomic performance of CCs, their environmental impacts and contribution to climate smart agriculture, and understand how farmers’ views on CCs differed depending on farm/farmer characteristics. The farmers’ sample was conventional and organic farms that had selected CCs as a registered measure in 2020. 6493 farmers were invited to answer a questionnaire with 18 statements (a Likert scale, 5 answer choices), and 1130 responded (17.4%). A Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel test was used to measure the strength of the association between ten characteristics of the respondents and 18 statements. Farmers considered CCs to have wide-ranging benefits for soil conditions. Only 21% of farmers agreed that CCs increase the need for nitrogen fertilizer use. 49% of farmers agreed that CCs reduce weed problems. Farmers mostly agreed (ca. 80%) that CCs reduce nutrient leaching and erosion. They were in general more uncertain about CCs’ contribution to climate change mitigation (53% agreed), adaptation (51%), and resilience (58%). In agri-environmental schemes subsidies for use of CCs should aim large-scale implementation with two important target groups: younger farmers (≤50 years) as they were slightly more skeptical than older ones and farmers with less diverse land use as they were more doubtful of benefits provided by CCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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17 pages, 735 KiB  
Article
Protected Cultivation of Horticultural Crops as a Livelihood Opportunity in Western India: An Economic Assessment
by Prakash Pachiyappan, Pramod Kumar, Krishna Viswanatha Reddy, Kotamraju N. Ravi Kumar, Srinivasa Konduru, Venkatesh Paramesh, Gandhamanagenahalli A. Rajanna, Shashidhar K. Shankarappa, Duraisamy Jaganathan, Sheela Immanuel, Ankush L. Kamble, Raman Selvakumar, Kingsly T. Immanuelraj, Boopathy Raja Manogaran, Anbukani Perumal, Umamageswari Maruthanayagam and Sivalingam Niranjan
Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7430; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127430 - 17 Jun 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 5227
Abstract
Protected cultivation is an innovative way of raising seasonal and off-seasonal crops under a controlled environment. Vegetables and flower crops have tremendous potential to augment productivity, generate employment, utilize land efficiently and enhance export. This study was undertaken to assess the economic feasibility [...] Read more.
Protected cultivation is an innovative way of raising seasonal and off-seasonal crops under a controlled environment. Vegetables and flower crops have tremendous potential to augment productivity, generate employment, utilize land efficiently and enhance export. This study was undertaken to assess the economic feasibility of protected cultivation in the high export potential zones of the Pune and Nasik districts of Maharashtra, India, by employing project analytical tools and the regression model. The results revealed that the cultivation of flowers and vegetables under protected cultivation was highly lucrative with high investment. The protected cultivation of rose and capsicum had higher cultivation cost (300%), gross return (250%) and net return (190%) as compared to open cultivation. Moreover, most of the crops grown in polyhouses are highly profitable at different discount rates (7%, 10% and 12%), whereas a few crops were rewarding under shade net condition with subsidies. Factors such as literacy (p < 0.05), income (p < 0.05), access to subsidy (p < 0.05) and the risk orientation index (p < 0.01) were found statistically significant in technology adoption. In the context of a changing climate and shrinking land resources, water scarcity, incidence of pests and diseases, an ever-increasing population, low productivity under open conditions and changes in consumer’s preference are the drivers for switching over to protected cultivation. In the recent past, protected cultivation has been gaining importance in different parts of the country, including Maharashtra. The policy implications are creating modern infrastructure, enhanced application of ICTs, maximum crop production with minimum utilization of land and institutional support to promote technology on a commercial scale. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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17 pages, 1182 KiB  
Article
Achieving Food and Livelihood Security and Enhancing Profitability through an Integrated Farming System Approach: A Case Study from Western Plains of Uttar Pradesh, India
by Poonam Kashyap, Ashisa K. Prusty, Azad S. Panwar, Venkatesh Paramesh, Ravisankar Natesan, M. Shamim, Nisha Verma, Phool Chand Jat and Mahendra Pal Singh
Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6653; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116653 - 29 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3476
Abstract
The integrated farming system (IFS) is a comprehensive farm practice to improve small and marginal farmers’ livelihoods. The IFS enhances nutrient recycling and food security and promotes greater efficiency of fertilizers and natural resources. To improve livelihood, profits, and employment generation holistically through [...] Read more.
The integrated farming system (IFS) is a comprehensive farm practice to improve small and marginal farmers’ livelihoods. The IFS enhances nutrient recycling and food security and promotes greater efficiency of fertilizers and natural resources. To improve livelihood, profits, and employment generation holistically through an IFS method, a study was conducted over four years, from 2016 to 2019, to define the farming condition in 1036 households in the Muzzafarnagar district of Western Uttar Pradesh. Crop + dairy was the most frequent farming method (68%) followed by crop + dairy + horticulture + goatary. Compared to older cultivars, improved rice, maize, wheat, and barley cultivars enhanced crop yield by 17 to 42%. Transplanting sugarcane and intercropping of mustard increased system yield from 58.89% to 86.17% compared to the sole sugarcane crop. Nutritional kitchen gardening resulted in an average saving of $20 to $25 during the Kharif season and $20 to $27 during Rabi season. Exotic vegetables such as broccoli, Chinese cabbage, cherry tomato, kale, parsley, and lettuce were introduced, which increased regular income. With the adoption of a multi-tier-based system, the net returns from the system improved from 0.6 lakh to 2.20 lakhs per ha. Enhancing the fodder availability resulted in a 27.5% milk yield improvement. The study’s outcomes demonstrated that a five-member family’s annual protein (110–125 kg) and carbohydrate (550 to 575 kg) requirements can be easily met using the IFS technique. According to the study, IFS approaches combined with better technical interventions can ensure the long-term viability of farming systems and improve livelihoods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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17 pages, 22751 KiB  
Article
Legume Integration Augments the Forage Productivity and Quality in Maize-Based System in the Loess Plateau Region
by Maw Ni Soe Htet, Honglu Wang, Vivek Yadav, Thongsouk Sompouviseth and Baili Feng
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6022; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106022 - 16 May 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2353
Abstract
The changing climate, inadequate water supply, insufficient agricultural inputs, decreasing in agricultural arable land areas under forage crops of Northwestern Loess Plateau region, expanding livestock population, increasing demands for meat and milk production, and food and feed security concerns all insist on a [...] Read more.
The changing climate, inadequate water supply, insufficient agricultural inputs, decreasing in agricultural arable land areas under forage crops of Northwestern Loess Plateau region, expanding livestock population, increasing demands for meat and milk production, and food and feed security concerns all insist on a necessary requirement in forage quality production. Cereal–legume mixed-cropping is a biological approach to enhancing herbage yield and quality of upgraded animal feed (forage and silage). However, little information exists about the appropriate mixing seeding ratios and its impacts on yield and quality. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the forage yield and nutritional quality of maize (Zea mays L.) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in mono-and mixed-cropping approaches at the seeding proportions of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 45:55, 25:75, and 0:100 in 2019 and 2020 in Northwestern Loess Plateau region. A randomized complete block design with four replicates was used in this experiment. The results indicated that forage quality was significantly affected by the mixture ratios. The land equivalent ratio (LER) of all mixed-cropping treatments greater than 1.0, in which maize–common bean at the 50:50 seeding ratio achieved higher LER (1.46) than that of other treatments, showing that mixed-cropping combination systems are better users of land resources. Laboratory forage quality analysis and Pearson correlation analysis showed that the relative feed value had highly positive correlation with total digestible nutrients and relative forage quality in mixed-cropping treatments. Our results showed that fresh forage yield and dry matter yield were higher in monocropped maize forage than in other intercropped forages, whereas crude protein yield was lower compared with other mixed cropping forages. After 60 days of ensiling, the highest organic acid profile and ammonia-nitrogen were observed in M25:CB75 silage compared with other silages. The highest ensilability of fermentation coefficient was also found in M50:CB50 compared with other intercropped silages. Regarding forage preservation, silage showed higher contents of crude protein, relative feed value and lower crude fiber, water-soluble carbohydrate neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber contents than forage. This study determined that the ratios of maize–common bean 25:75 and 50:50 were the most desirable mixture ratios among mixed-cropped forage and silage based on chemical composition and quality analysis for livestock feeding. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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16 pages, 2579 KiB  
Article
Diverse Planting Density-Driven Nutrient and Yield Enhancement of Sweet Corn by Zinc and Selenium Foliar Application
by Bosco Justin Shio, Shaomin Guo, Ruifang Zhang, Sikander Khan Tanveer and Jiangbo Hai
Sustainability 2022, 14(9), 5261; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14095261 - 27 Apr 2022
Viewed by 2413
Abstract
Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the major cereal crops cultivated worldwide. Zinc and selenium are important nutrients for humans and plants, and their deficiency is a cause for concern in most developing countries. Sweet corn fertilized with zinc and selenium [...] Read more.
Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the major cereal crops cultivated worldwide. Zinc and selenium are important nutrients for humans and plants, and their deficiency is a cause for concern in most developing countries. Sweet corn fertilized with zinc and selenium can mitigate this problem. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of fertilization with Zn and Se on the yield and quality of sweet corn varieties under different planting densities. The experimental design used was a split-plot based on a randomized complete block design with three replications. Compared to the control, significant differences were recorded in grain yield, leaf area index, and plant height (i.e., Zn/Se + density + variety) treatments. Non-significant differences in the number of kernels per cob, sugar content and crude protein were recorded under different treatments. Significant differences in grain yield, water-soluble sugar, and zinc and selenium content in grain were recorded. Grain yield was higher in Selenium than in Zinc treatments, with a mean difference of 0.05 t ha−1. We conclude that grain yield and selenium content in grain were influenced by selenium foliar application, while water-soluble sugar and zinc content in grain were influenced by foliar zinc application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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16 pages, 1196 KiB  
Article
Redesigning of Farming Systems Using a Multi-Criterion Assessment Tool for Sustainable Intensification and Nutritional Security in Northwestern India
by Ashisa K. Prusty, Ravisankar Natesan, Azad S. Panwar, Mangi L. Jat, Jagdish P. Tetarwal, Santiago López-Ridaura, Roos Adelhart Toorop, Jelle van den Akker, Jashanjot Kaur, Prakash C. Ghasal, Jeroen C. J. Groot, Luis Barba-Escoto, Poonam Kashyap, Meraj A. Ansari and Mohammad Shamim
Sustainability 2022, 14(7), 3892; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14073892 - 25 Mar 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3794
Abstract
Sustaining agricultural systems dominated by small and vulnerable resource-poor farms that are subject to climatic aberrations is a major challenge for most Asian countries. In this context, the role of agriculture requires immediate attention in northwestern India where marginal farmers with less than [...] Read more.
Sustaining agricultural systems dominated by small and vulnerable resource-poor farms that are subject to climatic aberrations is a major challenge for most Asian countries. In this context, the role of agriculture requires immediate attention in northwestern India where marginal farmers with less than a meagre 1 hectare of land represent about 67% of the population. Research based on prototype farms is being promoted in the redesign of current farming practices to help give these farmers sustainable livelihoods. We hypothesize that integrating innovative cropping systems into smallholder marginal farms could help to achieve these objectives. The study presented here describes a modelling approach for the ex-ante assessment of the current farming practices of marginal households in terms of economic, environmental, and nutritional indicators in comparison with those of experimental research farms in order to delineate an alternative scope of flexibility to optimize farming practices. We used the FarmDESIGN model to evaluate farmers’ realities, with a focus on marginal farms (marginal poor farmers (MPFs)) and marginal diversified farmers (MDF) with the objective of enhancing profit, soil organic matter balance, and nutritional system yield in terms of dietary energy and reducing pesticide usage. Introducing prototype cropping systems in up to 33% of the farm area, combined with rearrangements of the existing crops, provided ample opportunity to improve farm performance. The improvements were greater when prototype cropping systems were added, and MPFs could benefit greatly from improvements in soil organic matter balance when considering the current negative organic matter balance of most farms. We conclude that the model-based approach of evaluating the potential of new cropping systems, along with the fine tuning of alternative combinations, will support the enhanced adaptability of innovative cropping practices, which will help to improve the livelihoods of marginal farmers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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21 pages, 1272 KiB  
Article
Profit-Sharing Contracts for Fresh Agricultural Products Supply Chain Considering Spatio-Temporal Costs
by Min Li, Lina He, Guangchuan Yang and Zhen Lian
Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2315; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042315 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3489
Abstract
This paper investigated the effects of the informational asymmetry phenomenon that occurs in the direct sale of fresh agricultural products (FAP) in an e-commerce environment. A three-level FAP supply chain was proposed, which was composed of a FAP supplier, a logistics service provider, [...] Read more.
This paper investigated the effects of the informational asymmetry phenomenon that occurs in the direct sale of fresh agricultural products (FAP) in an e-commerce environment. A three-level FAP supply chain was proposed, which was composed of a FAP supplier, a logistics service provider, and a large e-commerce platform. Considering the perishable nature of FAP, this paper analyzed the effects of logistics spatio-temporal costs and the freshness of FAP on the profit of each stakeholder in the supply chain. Three scenarios were considered: (1) complete information, (2) partial information, and (3) considering logistics spatio-temporal cost. Analytical models were developed based on the principal-agent theory and the supply chain coordination contract theory to depict the effects of a profit-sharing contract on the operations of the FAP supply chain. Modeling results indicated that under a complete information condition, an increase in the loss rate of FAP correlated to a decrease in the profit of the FAP supply chain. Under a partial information condition, considering the loss rate of FAP and the potential compensation costs to suppliers, when the loss rate of FAP was fixed, the profit of each stakeholder in the FAP supply chain displayed a decreasing trend in relation to compensation ratio. In comparison, when the compensation ratio was fixed, the total profit decreased as the freshness of the FAP degraded. To improve customer satisfaction, this paper recommends adding a front warehouse to improve the freshness of FAP. Although this option increases the logistics costs, it has the potential of increasing the overall profit of the FAP supply chain. Findings from this research have the potential to help the e-commerce platform with coordinating the various stakeholders on the supply chain to determine the optimal quality and quantity of FAPs, eventually improving the operational efficiency of the FAP direct sales supply chain by reducing the logistics costs of FAP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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16 pages, 2346 KiB  
Article
Farm-Level Technical Efficiency and Its Determinants of Rice Production in Indo-Gangetic Plains: A Stochastic Frontier Model Approach
by Raj bahadur Singh Chandel, Aftab Khan, Xiaojing Li and Xianli Xia
Sustainability 2022, 14(4), 2267; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14042267 - 16 Feb 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4657
Abstract
This research was conducted to explore the factors affecting the technical efficiency (TE) of rice producers and its determinants at the farm level. We used a multi-stage sampling procedure to collect cross-sectional data from 800 rice growers in the Uttar Pradesh state of [...] Read more.
This research was conducted to explore the factors affecting the technical efficiency (TE) of rice producers and its determinants at the farm level. We used a multi-stage sampling procedure to collect cross-sectional data from 800 rice growers in the Uttar Pradesh state of India, and a stochastic frontier model (SFA) was applied. The results showed that the mean technical efficiency was 72%, suggesting scope for a substantial increment in rice productivity exists while using the current level of inputs and technologies. Furthermore, the MLE results revealed that labor, irrigation, and hybrid seeds had a constructive impact on technical efficiency, while experience and tenure status showed a negative impact on technical efficiency. As unraveled by the results of the study, it can be concluded that the technical efficiency of rice farmers can be improved through timely access to credit and agricultural information delivered to them via extension services. The study, therefore, recommends that the government provide subsidized agrochemicals and focus on developing a robust network of extension services throughout the local districts for proper dissemination of inputs. About 12% of India’s rice is produced in the Uttar Pradesh state. So, this study could be an essential tool for the agriculture sector, which could help to solve rice productivity problems for future generations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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18 pages, 2589 KiB  
Article
Climate Change-Induced Drought Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation Measures in Semi-Arid Pastoral and Agricultural Watersheds
by Lakshmanan Muralikrishnan, Rabindra N. Padaria, Anil K. Choudhary, Anchal Dass, Shadi Shokralla, Tarek K. Zin El-Abedin, Shadi A. M. Abdelmohsen, Eman A. Mahmoud and Hosam O. Elansary
Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010006 - 21 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4719
Abstract
Periodic drought is a major challenge in drought-prone areas of South Asia. A sample survey of farmers (n = 400) from South Asia was conducted to study the farmers’ perception about drought impacts on their socio-economic status, agro-biodiversity, and adaptation besides public [...] Read more.
Periodic drought is a major challenge in drought-prone areas of South Asia. A sample survey of farmers (n = 400) from South Asia was conducted to study the farmers’ perception about drought impacts on their socio-economic status, agro-biodiversity, and adaptation besides public institutions’ drought mitigation measures. The results revealed reduced surface and groundwater availability, soil degradation, partial or complete crop failure, increased agricultural fallows and wastelands, biodiversity loss, decrease in agricultural yields, pasture lands, and livestock in drought-impacted South Asia. About 16–26% of the farmers perceived a reduction in the agricultural area and production of commercial crops and millets in drought-prone areas, while changes in the cropping of pulses, oilseeds, horticultural, and fodder crops were minimal. About 57–92% of respondents showed a reduction in the consumption of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and fish. Unemployment, migration, reduced farm income, and malnutrition were major socio-economic impacts among respondents (38–46%). Despite sufficient public support as a mitigation strategy, the farmers had poor participation (8–65%) for agri-information and adaptation (7–36%) against drought impacts. Hence, researchers, extension agents, and policymakers must develop efficient ‘participatory-mode’ drought adaptation and mitigation policies in watershed-based semi-arid pastoral and agricultural regions of South Asia and similar agro-ecologies across the globe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 3662 KiB  
Review
Surface Seeding of Wheat: A Sustainable Way towards Climate Resilience Agriculture
by Satish Kumar Singh, Abhik Patra, Ramesh Chand, Hanuman Singh Jatav, Yang Luo, Vishnu D. Rajput, Shafaque Sehar, Sanjay Kumar Attar, Mudasser Ahmed Khan, Surendra Singh Jatav, Tatiana Minkina and Muhammad Faheem Adil
Sustainability 2022, 14(12), 7460; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14127460 - 18 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4261
Abstract
Conventional tillage (CT)-based agriculture is known to be ecologically indiscreet, economically and environmentally unsustainable, and leads to the degradation of soil and the environment in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The surface seeding (SS) method was introduced to manage agro-ecosystems for sustaining productivity and [...] Read more.
Conventional tillage (CT)-based agriculture is known to be ecologically indiscreet, economically and environmentally unsustainable, and leads to the degradation of soil and the environment in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). The surface seeding (SS) method was introduced to manage agro-ecosystems for sustaining productivity and increasing farmers’ profits, while sustaining the natural resources. Here, we conducted a systematic literature review on SS of wheat reported in the IGP, with the aim to cover the concept of SS, its impact on wheat yield, soil properties, and the environment, with the potential benefits and constraints. The major findings are: (i) an SS-based rice–wheat system improves productivity (∼10%) and profitability (20–30%),while employing a lesser amount of irrigation water (15–30%) and energy input (20–25%) compared to a conventional system; (ii) an SS-based system is more adaptive to extreme climatic conditions, reduces the carbon footprint, and increases crop production; (iii) an SS approach enhances soil health by virtue of increased soil organic carbon and improved soil aggregation, as well as soil, water, and energy conservation; (iv) SS consisting of no-tillage with substantial crop residue retention offers an alternative to crop residue burning. Strong policies/legislation are required to encourage SS of wheat, in order to limit residue burning, and provide farmers with carbon credits in exchange for carbon sequestration and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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19 pages, 1424 KiB  
Review
Prospects of Biochar for Sustainable Agriculture and Carbon Sequestration: An Overview for Eastern Himalayas
by Jayanta Layek, Rumi Narzari, Samarendra Hazarika, Anup Das, Krishnappa Rangappa, Shidayaichenbi Devi, Arumugam Balusamy, Saurav Saha, Sandip Mandal, Ramkrushna Gandhiji Idapuganti, Subhash Babu, Burhan Uddin Choudhury and Vinay Kumar Mishra
Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6684; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14116684 - 30 May 2022
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6063
Abstract
The net arable land area is declining worldwide rapidly due to soil erosion, drought, loss of soil organic carbon, and other forms of degradation. Intense rainfall, cultivation along steep slopes, unscientific land-use changes, shifting cultivation, soil acidity, and nutrient mining in hills and [...] Read more.
The net arable land area is declining worldwide rapidly due to soil erosion, drought, loss of soil organic carbon, and other forms of degradation. Intense rainfall, cultivation along steep slopes, unscientific land-use changes, shifting cultivation, soil acidity, and nutrient mining in hills and mountains make agriculture unsustainable and less profitable. Hills and mountain ecosystems of the Eastern Himalayan Region (EHR) are further prone to the impact of climate change posing a serious threat to agricultural production and the environment. Increasing soil carbon reserves contributes to multiple ecosystem services, improves soil nutrient and water-holding capacities, and advances climate-resilient agriculture. Thus, carbon sequestration is increasingly becoming an important aspect of farming among researchers in the region. The EHR predominantly practices shifting cultivation that degrades the ecosystem and promotes land degradation and biodiversity loss. Leaching of exchangeable bases is highly favored due to excess rainfall which in turn creates an acidic soil accounting for >84% of the region. Application of lime to raise the soil acidity for the cultivation of crops did not get adequate acceptance among the farming community due to multiple issues such as cost involvement, non-availability in time and place, and transportation issues. The application of biochar as soil amendments is widely known to improve soil’s physical, chemical, and biological properties. Biochar has also emerged as a potential candidate for long-term carbon sequestration due to its inbuilt structure and higher stability. Shift from traditional “slash and burn” culture to “slash and char” might lead to the sequestration of carbon from the atmosphere. Around 0.21 Pg of carbon (12% of the total anthropogenic carbon emissions by land-use change) can be sequestered in the soil if the traditional “slash and burnt” practice is converted to “slash and char”. The objective of this review is to provide detailed information about the role of biochar in altering the soil properties for sustaining agriculture and carbon sequestration, especially for hills and mountain ecosystems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agrifood Production and Conservation Agriculture)
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