Sustainable Practices for a Greener Future

Introduction -:

The 28th district in Gujarat is Chhotaudepur. Since 1995, when the Shroffs Foundation Trust
was given the chance to work on the watershed area development program, the trust has
been operating in this district. Due to poor access to water resources and soil erosion, the
district's agriculture has suffered. As a result, many have moved—and continue to migrate—
to other states in search of employment. The children's school dropout rate has also gone up
as a result of this. The district's majority of residents lack literacy, and their ignorance of
scientific animal husbandry prevented them from developing it as a substitute source of
income. Bringing the people together and fostering confidence among them was crucial to
rescuing them from their agony.

For the past 29 years, the Shroffs Foundation Trust has worked to enhance the welfare of
rural and tribal communities. With the aid of agricultural institutions and other experts in the
sector, the Shroffs Foundation Trust was able to successfully alter the productivity of
agriculture through the introduction of scientific procedures. Through its relationship with the
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, SFT is able to empower women through
a range of training programs on sustainable agriculture techniques as part of the Mahila Kisan
Sashaktikaran Pariyojana (MKSP) program. This pamphlet aims to highlight the top
sustainable agriculture techniques used by indigenous women who have been using these
techniques.

Adopting eco-friendly habits in our daily lives is a collaborative effort that is necessary to
create a sustainable future. We can reduce environmental degradation and protect resources
for future generations by putting sustainable principles into practice. We'll look at a number
of tactics and projects in this guide that are meant to encourage a greener future. Let's
explore doable measures for creating a more sustainable environment, from reducing waste
to using renewable energy.

Meaning-:
 In order to be sustainable, current requirements must be met without sacrificing the capacity
of future generations to meet their own needs. Encompassing environmental, social, and
economic aspects, it highlights a mutually beneficial interaction between human endeavors
and the environment. A comprehensive strategy that considers biodiversity preservation,
resource conservation, and community well-being is necessary to comprehend sustainability.

Concept -:

Water and soil are two examples of natural resources whose availability and quality are essential to
agricultural output. By encouraging conservation and the sustainable use of these finite natural
resources through appropriate site-specific methods, agricultural expansion can be maintained.
India's agriculture is still primarily rain-fed, making up 40% of the nation's overall food production and
around 60% of its net sown land. The only way to meet the nation's growing need for food grains is to
conserve natural resources while also advancing rain-fed agriculture. With an emphasis on integrated
farming and water usage efficiency, the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) was
created with the goal of increasing agricultural production, particularly in rain-fed areas.Management
of soil health and cooperative resource preservation.

Systems of agriculture that are sustainable are those that are profitable, satisfy the demand for
wholesome food from society, and protect or improve the environment's natural resources for
coming generations.
According to the definition provided by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) of the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), "sustainable agriculture" refers to the effective
use of agricultural resources to meet changing human needs while preserving or improving the
environment and protecting natural resources.
Defination -:

Sustainable practices refer to actions and behaviors that aim to meet the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. These
practices typically focus on minimizing environmental impact, promoting social equity, and
ensuring economic viability. Examples include renewable energy use, waste reduction,
conservation of natural resources, and adopting eco-friendly technologies.

The foundation of sustainability is a straightforward idea: everything we require for life depends
on the natural world, either directly or indirectly, for our survival and well-being. The goal of
sustainability is to establish and preserve the circumstances that allow nature and humans to
coexist peacefully and productively for the benefit of both the present and the future
generations.
Sustainable Agriculture -:

The term "sustainable agriculture" describes farming methods intended to satisfy

current societal demands for food and textiles without jeopardizing the capacity of
future generations to satisfy their own needs. It incorporates methods that support
biodiversity, resource efficiency, and long-term soil health in an economically,
ecologically, and socially equitable manner.

Why do we need sustainable agriculture?

Because more people will need more food In the future

The number of people living in hunger today is Approaching one billion. By 2050, there will be 2 billion people
more to feed. In principle, the Agricultural sector can provide nutritious food For all. But to meet future
needs, we will have To boost sustainable agricultural production, Especially in developing countries where
most of The population growth is expected. Smallholder Farms are an important part of the solution and
They must be supported to achieve productivity Gains.

Because farming is a key source of income That can help make poverty history

For more than a third of the world’s population, Agriculture is the main source of income. In developing
countries, it accounts for 29% Of GDP and 65% of jobs. In many parts of Europe, farming is an indispensable
part of The rural economy. To secure the livelihoods of Rural populations, generate decent income and
Provide a basis for inclusive growth and poverty Reduction, we will need to support farming Systems that are
viable long term.

Because agriculture has a dual role in Adapting and mitigating climate change

Today, agricultural systems worldwide are Challenged by climate change and other threats, Such as increased
energy costs. Sustainable Agricultural practices help farmers to adapt To changes and to reduce greenhouse
gas Emissions. Sustainable agriculture also means Opening the door to innovation that can help to Make
farming cleaner, less exposed to volatility In the prices of inputs and more resistant to Disasters.

Because agriculture uses natural Resources that are becoming scarce

Agriculture depends on the use of natural Resources such as land, soil, water and nutrients. As demand for
food increase and climate Change and ecosystem degradation impose New constraints, sustainable
agriculture has An important role to play in preserving natural Resources, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, Halting biodiversity loss and caring for valued Landscapes.

BEST PRACTICES IN SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Vermicompost

Vermicomposting is basically a managed process of worms digesting organic matter to Transform the
material into a beneficial soil amendment. Vermi-compost are defined as organic Matter of plant and/or
animal origin consisting mainly of finely-divided earthworm castings, Produced non-thermophilicaly with bio-
oxidation and stabilization of the organic material, due To interactions between aerobic microorganism and
earthworms, as the materials pass through The earthworm gut. The term vermicomposting means the use of
earthworms for composting organic residues. Earthworms can consume practically all kinds of organic matter
and they can eat their own Body weight per day, e.g. 1 kg of worms can consume 1 kg of residues every day.
The excreta (castings) of the worms are rich in nitrate, available forms of P, K, Ca and Mg. The passage of Soil
through earthworms promotes the growth of bacteria and actinomycetes. Actinomycetes Thrive in the
presence of worms and their content in worm casts is more than six times that in The original soil (R.V Misra,
2003). Converting the solid organic waste into compost, an innovative discipline of vermin culture
Technology, the breeding and propagation of earthworms and the use of its castings has become An
important tool of waste recycling the world over. Essentially, the vermin culture provides For the use of
earthworms as natural bioreactors for cost effective and environmentally sound Waste management (Asha
Aalok, 2008).

Benefits of Vermicompost

1. Organic – Vermicompost is produced by using earth worms and it is hundred percent Organic. There
are no harmful chemical needed to make Vermicompost.
2. Soil Improvement – Vermicompost improves soil aeration and enriches soil with Micro-organism. It
also attracts earthworms already present in the soil. Earth worms Restore and improve soil fertility
and increase crop productivity by the use of the Excretory products Vermicompost.
3. Increase Plant Growth – It enhances germination, plant growth and crop yield. It also Enriches soil
with micro-organism and improves root growth and structure.
4. Environment – Vermicompost builds up soil‘s natural fertility and also regenerates rich Population of
earth forms in farm soil.
5. Safe – Vermicompost has the biggest advantage of great social economic significance Is that the food
produced is complete organic, safe and chemical free.
6. Quality – It enhances size, color, smell, taste, flavor and keeping quality of the flowers, Fruit, and
vegetable and food grains.
 7. Production – Vermicompost gives 30% to 40% yields of crops over chemical Fertilizers.
8. Water – Vermicompost has greater water holding capacity due to humus contents and Reduces the
requirement of water for irrigation by thirty to forty percent (Rajiv K.Sinha, 2010).

Farm Yard Manure (FYM)

FYM refers to the decomposed mixture of dung and urine of the farm animals along with the Liter and left
over material from roughages or fodder fed to the cattle (Sankaranarayanan, 2004).

Benefits of Farm Yard Manure

1. Farm yard manure supplies all major nutrients and micro nutrients necessary for Plant growth.
2. Farm yard manure improves soil physical, chemical and biological properties and Improves the soil
structure. The FYM application leads to a better environment for Root development.
3. Farm yard manure also improves the water holding capacity of soil.
4. Improved soil physical/chemical property and nutrients balances lead to increase And sustain
production of crop (Tilahun Tadesse, 2013).

System of Rice Intensification

The concept of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) focuses on managing the soil, water, Plants and nutrients
in a balanced relationship, enabling maximum growth of rice plants. SRI Increases rice production and raises
productivity of land labor, water and capital through Different practices of management (Dhakal, 2005). The
System of Rice Intensification, an improved package of rice cultivation practices, is Claimed to greatly
enhanced yield and substantially reduces water and other input uses in the Context of small holder farming.
SRI involves four components viz, using a single seedling Per hill, transplanting seedling at a younger age (less
than 15 days), square planting (25 *25 cm Spacing) and using cono weeding (K. Palanisami, 2012).

Benefits of using SRI

1. Compared to traditional methods, SRI requires only 25% of seeds normally used, 50% Less labor for
transplanting, 50-60% less labor for irrigation, and less use of fertilizer And pesticides. This is the
advantageous for smallholder farmers. But the first weeding Is difficult, and the cost for weeding is
more by 50-60%. The cost of fertilizer is less Than normal practice, while cost of harvesting remains
same.

2. With SRI technique, there is about 40-50% increase in grain yield and 20-25% increase In biomass
production. Generally, overall expenditure is either the same or slightly less With SRI compared to
traditional, but SRI gives more yields. Therefore, increase in Yield of both biomass and grain is a net
benefit.

3. SRI consumes 50 to 75% less water compared to traditional methods. Therefore, SRI Reduces the
frequency of irrigation, conflict among irrigation water users, and riser Failure caused by stagnant
water.
 4. Generally, 15 days-old seedlings are better, and best spacing depends on location and Soil
conditions. In general, 30 cm spacing is better in lower altitudes and 20 cm spacing At higher
altitudes (Dhakal, 2005).

Impacts of SRI

1. With SRI, self sufficiency of food improved earlier rice primarily used for home Consumption but with
SRI surplus has improved.

2. With fields no longer constantly flooded, farmers do not have to stand in muddy water For hours,
pulling up and transplanting seedlings or weeding. This reduces their skin Irritations and other
illnesses that occur from prolonged exposure to water.

3. Usually rice cultivation requires 8 hours days of labor to cultivate on one hectare of Land but with
SRI, it has been reduced up to 30 percent.

4. With SRI Income improvements are achieved by lower input costs and higher Productivity. More
livelihood and fewer medical expenses. With lighter work load Farmers can also seek employment
beyond agriculture, it gives more time to focus other House hold & social works.

Bio Fertilizers and Pesticides – Amrutpani and Brahmastra

Bio fertilizers are the product containing carrier based (solid or liquid) living micro organisms Which are
agriculturally useful in terms of nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization or Nutrient mobilization, and to
increase the productivity of the soil and/or crop (National Center Of Organic Farming, 1985).

Benefits of Bio Fertilizers

The chemical Fertilizers and pesticides affect the quality of agriculture produces in Conventional practices,
but bio fertilizers and bio pesticides are referred as sustainable Friendly system. Bio fertilizers are low cost
renewable sources of plant nutrients which Supplement the need of plant nutrition and reduce the use of
chemical fertilizers. These can be Used from seed treatment to soil application. Bio fertilizers generate plants
nutrients like Nitrogen and phosphors through their activity in the soil in a gradual manner. Bio fertilizers Are
gaining moment recently due to the increasing emphasis on maintenance of soil health, Minimize
environmental pollution and reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture (Hari Muraleedharan, 2010).

Mixed cropping

Mixed cropping is also known as intercropping and crop rotation. It is the growing of two or More crops at
the same time on the same field. Planting more than one crop will allow the Crops to grow and work together
on the same piece of land. Multiple cropping helps to Improve soil fertility and it also increases crop yield. In
this type of farming the products and The wastes that are from one crop plant helps in the growth of the
other crop. As general Practice small duration crop (Pulses) and long duration crops (Cotton) are grown
together, the Pulses crop fixes nitrogen in the root, which benefits the other crop, Also the harvesting of
Short duration crop completes before long crop reaches at flowering stage; it avoids Competition and
supplements each other. Mixed cropping is the cultivation of two or more crops simultaneously on the same
field. It Also means the growing of two or more crops on the same field with planting of the second Crop after
the first one has completed its development. The rationale behind intercropping is That the different crops
planted are unlikely to share the same insect pests and disease causing Pathogens and to conserve oil (Online
Information Service for Non- Chemical Pest Managements in the Tropics, 2016).

Benefits of Mixed Cropping

1. Reduces the insect/mite pest populations because of the diversity of the crops grown.
2. Reduces the plant diseases. The distance between plants of the same species is Increased because
other crops (belonging to a different family group) are planted in Between.
3. Reduces hillside erosion and protects topsoil, especially the contour strip cropping.
4. Attracts more beneficial insects, especially when flowering crops are included the Cropping system
5. Minimizes labor cost on the control of weeds. A mixture of various crops gives often A better
coverage of the soil leaving less space for the development of weeds.
6. Utilizes the farm area more efficiently.
7. Results in potential increase for total production and farm profitability than when the Same crops
are grown separately.
8. Provides two or more different food crops for the farm family in one cropping season (Online
Information Service for Non- Chemical Pest Managements in the Tropics,2016).

Multiple – Vegetable Cropping

Vegetable cropping is important for small farmers because it creates a regular source of Income and to best
avoid the risk of crop failure multiple cropping is promoted. Vegetable Cropping enhances the nutrients in
the farmers‘ diet. Multiple cropping means two or more crops are grown in succession on the same land per
Year. These forms are generally known as double cropping, triple cropping and quadruple Cropping etc.
(Gallher).

Benefits of multiple cropping

1. Increase overall income. When crops are grown individually, individual crops may Give better yield.
But when crops are grown together individuals yield of crops Reduces but total yield are higher.
2. Risk of growing one crop may overcome
3. Weed intensification become less
4. Insects and disease infestation become less
5. It increases the intensity of cropping. And due to intensive cropping small farmers Can increase their
income.
Eco-friendly Pest Management Solution
A typical eco-friendly approach for sustainable management of Vegetable pests involves biological
control including deployment of host Resistance, best cultural practices and need based use of chemical
pesticides (figure 1). Such plant protection measures are also in harmony with International food safety
and environmental protection protocols.

PLANTING TIME

Careful consideration of sowing/planting date in vegetables reduces The attack of red pumpkin beetle,
fruit fly and okra shoot and fruit borer.Early planting of cucurbits in November escapes from the attack
of red Pumpkin beetle, whereas flowering beyond October in bitter gourd suffers Less from fruit fly
damage. Sowing of okra during second week of June Retains less population of borers thereby
enhancing yield, whereas July planted Brinjal faces the ravages of shoot and fruit borer. Thus,
synchronization of Most susceptible stage of the crop with the inactive period of insect pest Reduces the
infestation and chemical intervention.

TILLAGE
Summer ploughing is an effective practice to spoil the soil inhibiting Stages of insect. Deep ploughing of
the field after the harvest reduces the Activity of fruit fly, red pumpkin beetle and cut worm as these
insects remain In the soil in earthen cocoon to complete the dormant stage of their life Cycle. Similarly,
summer ploughing is effective to reduce the soil borne Pathogens population because of solarization
effect.

6.4 BARRIERS

At I.I.H.R., Bangalore and I.I.V.R., Varanasi use of nylon net as a Barrier along with infested shoot clipping
for control of brinjal shoot and fruit Borer could reduce the borer incidence by 16 per cent. However,
the cost of Nylon net is high and studies are, therefore, being conducted on the use of Live barriers like
maize. Presently, this technology is being popular in mmanParts of the West Bengal to prevent fruit and
shoot borer of brinjal. Similarly, For the management of Yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) disease in
Bhendi, Growing of maize as barrier is successful to reduce the disease incidence.

6.5 INTERCROPPING

Intercropping of crops with diverse plant geometry and insect pests Breaks the standard mono-cropping
and limits the infestation from the pest (Table 4). Diverse nature of plant not only obstructs the adults
from egg Laying but also the release of volatile allelo-chemicals from a particular crop Deters the adult
insect from damaging the crops. All such planting combination Enhances the activity of predators and
parasites, too.

TRAP CROPS

Mustard as trap crop along with cabbage has been successfully utilized For the management of diamond
back moth, aphid and leaf webber on Cabbage. This technology was developed in 1989 in which sowing
of two Rows of bold-seeded Indian mustard every 25 rows of cabbage has been Found successful.
Mustard attracts more than 80 per cent of the cabbage Pests. Only mustard crop is sprayed with
diclorovos 0.1 per cent. Recent Studies indicated Chinese cabbage to be the potential trap crop for
diamond Back moth. African marigold from tight bud stage functions as good trap Crop to attract the
adults of H. armigera besides it also attracts the adults of Leaf miner for egg laying on the leaves. Maize
+ bitter gourd and bait sprayIs effective to control fruit fly adults. Planting castor as a trap crop diverts
The population of Spodoptera litura from cowpea.

6.7 BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Predators and parasites

Vegetables ecosystem is endowed with a large complex of natural Enemies attacking different stages of
the insect pests to varying extent (Table5). However, most of these natural enemies are under exploited
for pest Management in vegetables. Among the egg parasitoids, Trichogramma Spp. Has been utilized to
some extent for control of tomato fruit borer.
Inundative release of egg parasitoids Trichogramma brasilensis @ 2,50,000/Ha is recommended for
control of fruit borers on okra and tomato. Five to Six releases at weekly interval @ 50,000/ha with the
first release coinciding With initiation of flowering in tomato is effective. Chrysoperla zastrowi Sillemi is
an effective predator for control of white fly, aphid, jassid and eggs Of some lepidopterous borers, when
the first instar larvae are released @50,000 /ha. The larval parasitoids of diamond back moth, Cotesia
plutellae And Diadegma semiclausum can be incorporated into biological pest Management because of
their potential in suppressing the pest larvae. These Will prove effective in areas where diamond back
moth poses a serious Problem because of insecticidal resistance

Entomopathogens

Vegetable pest control through microbial intervention is so far limited To few pests only. Bacillus
thuringiensis (Bt) @ 300-500 gm is the most Extensively used biocontrol agent against P. xylostella, E.
vittella and H.Armigera in vegetables. Application of Helicoverpa armigera nuclear Polyhedrosis virus
(HaNPV) and Spodoptera litura nuclear polyhedrosis Virus (SlNPV) @ 250 – 300 larval equivalents (LE) in
the evening hour with Some UV protectants like teepol (0.1%) and adjuvents like molasses (1%) Reduces
the population of the pests to a great extent. Use of Entomopathogenic fungi has great potential and
gaining importance against Both chewing and sucking insect pests in vegetable crops. Among these,
Verticillium lecanii at 2.8 x 109 Spores/ml against diamond back moth in Cole crops, Nomuraea rileyi @
1.2 x 108 Conidia/ml against S. litura in Cabbage and H. armigera in tomato and Beauveria bassiana @
1.6 x 104 Conidia/ml against whitefly on cucubits and jassids on okra have been found Highly effective.
Some important parasitoids and microbial aagent Recommended against vegetable pests are given
Biocontrol agents for management of diseases Many biocontrol agents have been used to manage
vegetable diseases And the technology is most successful against soil borne pathogens. Biocontrol
Agents of both in fungal and bacterial nature are being widely used. Among Them, Trichoderma
harzianum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus Subtilis are the most exploited species for the
management of plant diseases. Success of biocontrol agents is also decided by formulations and delivery
Methods. Fungal bio-formulation: Multiply fungal antagonist (Trichoderma spp.) in Sterilized molasses-
yeast broth (30 ml molasses; 5 g yeast; made up to 1000ml) by inoculating with actively growing mycelial
disc of nine mm diameter and incubate for 15 days. After that, incorporate the biomass (containing
approx. 106 cfu/ml) along with the medium into the sterilized carrier (at 105°Cfor 12 h)
talc/peat/lignite/kaolin etc. @ 500 ml suspension per 1 kg and thoroughly mix along with 5 g carboxy
methyl cellulose (CMC as adhesive agent). Bacterial bio-formulation: Inoculate Pseudomonas spp. And
Bacillus spp. Into the sterilized Kings B broth and Nutrient Agar broth respectively and Incubate in a
rotary shaker at 150 rpm for 48 h at room temperature (28 ± 2°C). After this, mix 400 ml of broth
suspension containing (approx. 108 cfu/ml), 1 kg of the sterilized carrier material
(talc/peat/lignite/kaolin etc.) 15 g calcium carbonate (to bring the pH to neutral) and 5 g CMC. A suitable
bioformulation should be active and have long shelf life. Different successful bioformulations developed
against many plant diseases And their shelf life have been well documented (Table 7).
Methods of application of bio-formulation
Seed treatment with fungal and bacterial bioformulations: In general The bio-formulations are applied
@ 10 g/kg of seeds. This treatment was Highly effective against soil borne fungal pathogens in wide
range of crops Like tomato, hot pepper, and cucumber etc.

Seedling dip: This method is mainly applicable to transplanting crops.Before Transplanting the seedlings
are dipped in antagonist suspension @1-2 perCent for 15 minute to 2 hours depending on the crop.
Cutting dip: Mix 10 g of bacterial or fungal formulation in 1litre of water And dip the cuttings for 10
minutes before planting.
Nursery treatment: Raising healthy seedlings in nursery always gives good Results in main field and the
nursery is often affected by soil borne pathogens. Drenching of nursery beds with 5 g Trichoderma
formulation/l of water Before sowing is found highly effective.
Soil application of fungal bio-formulation: Mix 1 kg of Trichoderma Formulation in 100 kg of farmyard
manure and cover it with polythene for 7 Days. Turn the mixture in every 3-4 days interval for a
minimum period of 15-20 days or until it is applied in the field.
Soil application of bacterial bio-formulation: Mix 2.5 kg of formulation With 50 kg of well decomposed
farm yard manure and apply in one ha field.
Foliar spray: Application of bacterial formulation @ 1 kg/ha or 5 g/l found To be effective in both field
and horticultural crops.

Table 1. Different carriers used to develop bio-formulations