Adaptive sustainable agriculture: Crop system intensification in Andhra Pradesh

WOTR has been extensively promoting sustainable agriculture practices as part of its adaptive sustainable development approach.  The objective is to promote low external inputs, increase land productivity, use of indigenous seeds, and reduce cost of cultivation. This involves promotion of agricultural demonstration plots, vermi-compost pits, training farmers on better practices of transplantation, crop geometry (spaced planting), soil and manure preparation, correct tillage operations, seed treatment, better sowing methods etc.

This is being effectively combined with agro-meteorology and water budgeting to make agriculture not only sustainable but also efficient and adaptive. Localized Met-advisories and Agri-met advisories provide timely information to farmers so that they can plan their agricultural activities. Water budgeting exercises help farmers understand the water availability in the region. With this connected and combined information of impending weather conditions, water availability, and appropriate agricultural techniques the farmers will be able to beter plan the crops they would sow in the season, keeping in mind food security, nutrition security and market demands. The idea and purpose is to promote resilient, adaptive and sustainable agricultural practices and thinking that generate optimum output per drop of water.