RICE WHEAT CROPPING SYSTEMS-CONSTRAINTS AND STRATEGIES : A REVIEW

The rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) in the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) of South Asia with help Green Revolution early 1970’s greatly contributed to India's food self-sufficiency and livelihood millions peoplethus, became country's primary source food-grain production. However, deterioration soil health quality, ground water depletion, stress, labour shortage, introduction new weeds pests particularly Phalaris minor, Scirpophaga incertulas climate change have all a major production standstill recent years by which sustainability rice wheat is now at jeopardy. Traditional agronomic practices had various negative implications on HYVs. So, paradigm shift required achieve long-term productivity, allow farmers minimise inputs, optimise yields, enhance profitability, maintain natural resource base reduce risk owing both environmental economic issues through resource-conserving technologies (RCTs) including zero/minimaltillage, PUSA decomposer, bed planting, crop residue management, mechanical transplanter (MRT) diversification. This article focuses some that need be addressed RWCS order goal increasing regional productivity assuring security while maximising effective use resources, enhancing rural livelihoods aiding poverty alleviation.