ABSTRACT

The technologies of conservation agriculture provide opportunities to reduce the cost of production, save water and nutrients, increase yields, increase crop diversification, improve efficient use of resources, and benefit the environment. Recognition that climate change could have negative consequences for agricultural production has generated a desire to build resilience into agricultural systems. Jute is primarily a rainfed crop and its national average yield is around 23 q/ ha. Improved Agronomic management practices and soil water conservation technics were developed to improve jute and mesta fibre productivity under drought situation. Savings in the cost of ploughing, irrigation, fertilizer and drudgery in sowing stimulating many farmers to adopt zero tillage jute after summer rice or onion harvest. Crop diversification in rice field using gunny bags/ jute fabrics will make effective utilization of resources applied in rice field, reduce the irrigation requirement of long duration vegetables due to its long association in dwarf and semi dwarf rice filed.