On-farm Realities: An analysis of agronomic practice gaps in the wheat-paddy system of Punjab, India

Agriculture serves as the cornerstone of the Indian economy, providing sustenance to a substantial portion of the population. The prosperity of this sector is intricately linked to the agronomic practices employed by farmers to attain optimal yields. This study was undertaken to scrutinize the prevalent agronomic practices among 45 farmers residing in seven villages within the eastern region of Punjab, India. An extensive survey employing a structured questionnaire was conducted to gather data on pivotal parameters, encompassing cropping patterns, seed management, nutrient application, irrigation, crop protection measures, harvesting techniques, and yield levels. The findings reveal a predominant wheat-paddy cropping system, with 86.7% of farmers cultivating wheat and 77.8% cultivating paddy. Notable deviations from recommended practices were observed, with 77.1% of farmers applying a higher-than-recommended seed rate for wheat and only 6.7% employing soil-test-based nutrient management. Although 82.2% of farmers utilize a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers, the absence of soil testing suggests a tendency towards imbalanced application. Tubewells served as the primary source of irrigation, while flood irrigation was universally adopted. Despite the high level of mechanization in harvesting, challenges in weed management, particularly the control of Phalaris minor in wheat, continue to pose significant obstacles across the region. The study concludes that while farmers have successfully adopted high-yielding varieties and mechanization, there is an urgent need for extension services to facilitate the adoption of balanced fertilizer use and integrated weed management strategies. These measures are essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and profitability of wheat production.