A Study on Farmers' Knowledge and Use of Soil Health Practices for Crop Production in Hisar District of Haryana, India

Abstract

Soil health methods, including cover cropping, crop rotation, and conservation tillage, yield a multitude of environmental and economic benefits. These advantages encompass carbon sequestration, soil erosion mitigation, nutrient leaching prevention, and the establishment of habitats for beneficial insects and pollinators. Nonetheless, there exists a comparatively limited degree of awareness and implementation of soil fertility control techniques. Soil health practices have emerged as a unifying factor among diverse stakeholders within the agricultural sector, fostering collaboration amongst the scientific community and facilitating economic advancement for the broader populace. Insufficient data pertaining to soil health and the reluctance to use soil health management strategies are seen as substantial barriers in augmenting agricultural productivity inside the nation. A research investigation was undertaken in the Hisar area of Haryana to evaluate the extent of knowledge and use of soil health measures. So, randomly 120 farmers were selected for the investigation and a well-developed interview schedule was developed to meet the objectives. The results of the study indicate that certain soil health measures have achieved extensive recognition, including land levelling, field bunding, irrigation with high-quality water, and the utilization of green manure/organic manure. Nevertheless, many agricultural strategies, such as the use of reduced tillage techniques alongside cover crops and the adoption of integrated farming systems, exhibit relatively lower rates of adoption. In general, the current rate of implementation of soil health measures is quantified at 40.72 percent, suggesting a necessity for enhancement.