Sustainable Crop Production Practices: A Comprehensive Review of Agroecological Approaches
Lalita Kumar Mohanty
Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar Odisha, India.
S. S. Yadav *
Department of Agronomy, P. G. College, Ghazipur, India.
Vinod kumar
Agronomy, KVK Munger BAU Sabour, Bihar, India.
Ram Gopal
Directorate of Extension, ANDUA& T, Kumarganj, Ayodhya - 224229 (U.P), India.
Ashoka, P
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture (UASD) Hanumanmatti(p) Ranebennur(tq), Haveri (District)– 581 115, Karnataka State, India.
Narinder Panotra
Institute of Biotechnology, SKUAST Jammu, J&K-180009, India.
Gyanendra Singh
Department of Agriculture, Motherhood University, Roorkee, India.
Rudra Nath Pandey
Department of Agronomy, Motherhood University, Roorkee, India.
Nibir Mahanta
Department Agricultural Economics, University Sher e kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, India.
Rajeshkumar Kishorkumar Panchal
College of Natural Farming, Gujarat Natural Farming Science University, Halol, Gujarat, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This comprehensive review examines the current state of agroecological approaches in sustainable crop production, addressing the urgent need for environmentally sound agricultural practices in the face of climate change and resource depletion. The paper synthesizes recent advances in crop diversification, soil health management, integrated pest management, water conservation techniques, and nutrient cycling strategies. Key findings indicate that agroecological practices can enhance crop yields by 20-30% while reducing chemical inputs by up to 50%. The review analyzes successful implementation cases across various agro-climatic zones in India, highlighting the role of traditional knowledge integration with modern scientific approaches. Challenges including initial adoption costs, knowledge gaps, and policy constraints are critically evaluated. The study emphasizes the importance of farmer participatory research, community-based seed systems, and ecosystem services in achieving long-term agricultural sustainability. Future research directions include developing climate-resilient crop varieties, optimizing microbiome interactions, and scaling up successful agroecological models. This review provides actionable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working towards transforming conventional agriculture into regenerative systems that ensure food security while preserving ecological integrity.
Keywords: Agroecology, sustainable agriculture, crop diversification, soil health, integrated management