The Rice-Wheat Cropping System of South Asia : Trends, Constraints, Productivity and Policy

This book critically analyzes and discusses available options for all aspects of the rice-wheat cropping system of South Asia, addressing the question, "Are the sustainability and productivity of this system in a state of decline?" It compiles information gathered from research institutions, government organizations, and farmer surveys to analyze the condition of this regional system, suggest policy changes, and predict directions for future growth.

The lives of more than a billion people depend on the answer!

Thirty years ago, the Green Revolution changed the way agriculture was practiced on the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). This valuable book critically analyzes and discusses the rice-wheat cropping system introduced at that time. The Rice-Wheat Cropping System of South Asia: Trends, Constraints, Productivity and Policy addresses the crucial question, ”Are the sustainability and productivity of this system in a state of decline?”

The Rice-Wheat Cropping System of South Asia brings together information gathered from research institutions, government organizations, and farmer surveys. The analysis concentrates on the trends of rice-wheat cropping over time, paying special attention to the evidence of-and reasons for-changes in productivity. It also analyzes the impact of this regional system on soil fertility and water supplies, as well as the increasing demands for new and better fertilizers and pesticides.

The Rice-Wheat Cropping System of South Asia looks at the problems that have arisen for both the rice and wheat phases, including:

• the need for changes in crop establishment techniques for crop diversification
• declining soil fertility
• changes in pest populations
• a host of water-management issues
• the need for policy redirection to sustain productivity growth
• the impact of global climate change
• sustainable improvements in productivity
  
  This informative book is an essential planning tool for agronomists, policymakers, and agroeconomists. It is also a useful reference for anyone interested in the problems of famine and intensive cropping not only in South Asia but in the world.