Multiplier Effect of Zero Tillage Technology on Resource Conservation in Wheat Cultivation

The zero-tillage technology is economic, time saving, increase fertilizer use efficiency and acceptable to the farmers of district Ghazipur of U.P. Good performance of wheat crop sown with zero tillage during 2006–07 and 2007–08 in the district Ghazipur of Uttar Pradesh resulted into positive attitude of farmers as well as field functionaries towards this technology. The finding have clearly established that wheat sowing can be advanced at least 1–15 days over conventional tillage (Broadcasting method), enabling to harvest an advantage that cannot be obtained by using recommended varieties for late sown condition. The critical field observation revealed that the technology has merit for promotion and technical feasibility with an opportunity for providing self employment through custom hiring services. Subject to further investigation on long term impact of the technology on soil health and productivity of the system, it definitely provides answer for economic security in future specially with multifarious use of the machine in the district Ghazipur of U.P. and also opening new vistas for resources conservation whether fuel, crop residues, seed, water, fertilizer, man power or wear and tear of machinery are concerned. The results have also shown an increase in the productivity of the wheat ranging from 1 to 5.5 q/ha. In addition to that saving in fuel consumption in field preparation as well as in sowing of wheat under zero tillage was 06 litre/ha in 2006–2007 and 07 litre/ha in 2007–2008 as compared to the conventional tillage, economizing cost of seed and its seeding up to Rs. 630/ha in 2006–07 and Rs. 700/ha in 2007–08 and saving in irrigation by Rs. 1164/ha in both the year of investigation over conventional practices. The B:C ratio in ZT were 3.60 and 2.77 in 2006–07 and 2007–08, respectively as compared to CT that was 1.96 and 1.58 in 2006–07 and 2007–08, respectively. Thus, the overall net profitability gain of worth Rs. 6174/ha in 2006–07 and Rs. 4624/ha in 2007–08, in ZT appears to be a good attraction for the farmers to adopt the technology on large scale.