Sowing is essential in achieving an abundant harvest, as it determines crop yield and health. Soil health, weather, and pest pressure significantly influence early crop development. Crops such tea, apples, cotton, and sugarcane require careful sowing techniques to escalate root development and productivity. However, erratic weather, soil erosion, and pest infestations can jeopardize yields. Farmers can counter these by taking specific precautions—using resistant varieties of seeds along with the seed treatment on the concept of FIR (Fungicide Insecticide Rhizobium), ensuring healthy soil, providing proper irrigation, and managing pests effectively. A well-sown seedbed lays the foundation for robust crop growth.
Maximising crop health for sustainable agriculture
Soil Preparation: Soil health is the key to a successful crop. Pre-sowing soil analysis dictates nutrient levels, ensuring accurate fertiliser application. Adding organic matter like compost or manure improves microbial activity and soil structure. Tillage operations should be chosen based on soil type, but conservation tillage operations retain soil moisture and avert erosion. Research suggests that improved soil health practices can lower input costs by up to 30% while raising net farm income.
In areas such as West Bengal and Assam where tea is grown, acidic soils need liming to stabilize pH levels. Organic mulching helps retain moisture, while compost and green manure improve fertility. Likewise, in Gujarat and Maharashtra, cotton crops in hardpan soils gain from deep tillage to loosen hardpan layers, providing aeration and root development.
Successful seed selection and planting
High-quality seeds provide high germination and increased yields. Farmers can increase productivity using climate-tolerant varieties and pre-sowing treatment with fungicides, biostimulants, or microbial coatings, which significantly increases plant vigor growth rate and disease resistance. Crop-specific treatments such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria for legumes enhance nutrient availability, microbial activity, and soil health.
Planting at the correct time is essential for maximum growth, as each crop has a specific planting time depending on the regional climate conditions and seasonal variations. In Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu sugarcane plantations, contour farming reduces soil erosion and maximizes productivity.
Irrigation Management
Maximum water utilisation is necessary for sustainable agriculture. Farmers should adopt water-saving irrigation systems, such as drip or sprinkler irrigation, to use water efficiently. Soil moisture monitoring through digital sensors or visual inspection avoids over- or under-watering. A sufficient water supply, particularly during growth phases such as flowering and grain filling, maximizes yield potential.
In dry regions such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, cotton farmers prefer drip irrigation, which avoids water waste. Likewise, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu sugarcane fields employ furrow and drip irrigation systems to maximise moisture conservation. Traditional rainwater harvesting systems and AI-driven irrigation scheduling will further improve water efficiency.
Crop and weather monitoring
Effective crop monitoring and management increase plant resistance and yield. Monitoring, remote sensing, and timely interventions—such as irrigation or foliar feeding of nutrients—facilitate an early warning system for deficiency and stress detection, ensuring preventive action. Organic manure, phosphorus, and potash improve the fertility of apple orchards in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Mulching conserves water, and terracing and cover cropping conserve water while reducing runoff.
Adaptive strategies such as drought-resistant seeds, stress-reducing sprays, and soil conservation through reduced tillage mitigate weather extremities. Local weather forecasts facilitate decision support for sowing, irrigation, and pest management.
Advanced techniques for soil and crop health
Soil and crop health are improved by next-generation methods that promote fertility, conserve water, and render nutrients more available. Biochar improves soil structure, and cross-slope farming minimises erosion and improves infiltration. Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) combines organic and inorganic fertilisers for sustained productivity.
Organic nitrogenous matter and controlled application of phosphorus in Assam and West Bengal tea gardens optimise leaf growth, and contour planting eschews erosion-prone soil. Cotton fields are nourished with biofertilisers and potash-rich fertilisers for strong roots and boll formation. Sugarcane fields thrive on nitrogenous fertilisation and green manuring with legumes to restore soil nutrients.
Proper soil management, irrigation, and timely intervention are key to the well-being of the crops and yields. Through correct sowing techniques, the farmer can avert seasonal declines and enhance productivity. The quality of agricultural inputs plays a crucial role in enhancing yields. However, there are frequent reports of the presence of duplicate, counterfeit, and spurious inputs in the market. To safeguard themselves from fraud, farmers are advised to purchase inputs only against a proper bill. In case of any doubts, they should contact the respective company’s customer care number or visit its website. Additionally, they can seek guidance from KVK scientists and research experts.
The author is Chairman Emeritus of Dhanuka Agritech Limited