ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF ZERO-TILLAGE IN INDO-GANGATIC PLAIN OF UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

Resource conservation technologies (RCTs) have potential to enhance the crop yield and minimise the input costs resulting in augmentation of net income from crop production. It also improves the soil fertility by crop residue management in agricultural field and minimise the negative consequences on environment. Looking the importance of RCTs, present study was carried out to find the environmental and socio-economic impact of zero-tillage in Indo-Gangatic plain of Uttar Pradesh, India. Study was utilised primary as well as secondary data to achieve the objectives of present study. Results demonstrate that average land holding size of zero-tillage adopters was more than the non-adopters across the category of farmers. In case of zero-tillage non-adopters, cost of wheat cultivation was higher than zero-tillage adopters. After adoption of zero-tillage, incremental yield benefit received by farmers was found to be 8.17 quintals per hectare over non-adopters. Per hectare economic benefit due to reduction in inputs use and incremental yield benefit was highest (Rs 22657) for marginal farmers and lowest in case of medium farmers with Rs 15097.44. After adoption of zero-tillage, carbon emission was reduced and it was ranging between 14.49 kg (marginal farmers) to 19.27 kg (medium farmers) per hectare, whereas irrigation water saving was lowest for marginal farmers (528 m(3)/ha) and highest in case of large farmers (1424 m(3)/ha).