Tribal farmers of Boothanatham village in the Nilgiris face persistent challenges of low agricultural productivity due to rainfed farming, limited access to technologies, weak institutional linkages, and inefficient water use. Under the Tribal Sub-Plan, ICAR–Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation implemented participatory soil and water conservation interventions integrating lift irrigation, solar and diesel pumps, micro-irrigation, farm ponds, crop diversification, and capacity building
Over time, their indiscriminate and continuous application has led to ecological challenges, including pest resistance, secondary pest resurgence, chemical residues, non-target toxicity, and declining soil health. Consequently, systematic risk assessment is essential for sustaining agricultural productivity and environmental safety.
Conservation agriculture (CA) offers a sustainable pathway by improving soil health and productivity through minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and diversified crop rotations. However, CA is knowledge-, machinery-, and herbicide-intensive, requiring strong institutional support. Widespread adoption demands coordinated efforts from farmers, researchers, and policymakers, particularly in arid regions, to achieve long-term agricultural sustainability.
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), commonly known as bajra, is a nutritionally rich and climate-resilient cereal widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions. Its exceptional tolerance to drought, heat, and poor soils makes it a lifeline crop under changing climatic conditions.

Dr Shiva Dhar is a renowned researcher, working as Principal Scientist at ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute. Dr Shiva Dhar is a renowned researcher, working as Principal Scientist (Agronomy) at the Division of Agronomy, ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi.
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Principal Scientist & Adjunct Professor Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132001, Haryana, INDIA
dhruba.malakar@icar.gov.in
Head, Plant Protection Research Department Agriculture and Natural Research and Education centre of Gulestan Province, Iran
myounesabadi8@gmail.com
Scientist, Agronomy (FR & MC) Section, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana 132001
Sanjeev.Kumar17@icar.gov.in
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