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Sustainability Management Status of Agro-Ecosystems: A Case Study of Sugarcane Farmers in Shevgaon and Paithan (Sub-Districts) of Maharashtra, India

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Abstract

Sugarcane is cash crop that demands various agricultural inputs like fertilizers, labor, etc. The study area is Shevgaon and Paithan sub-districts of Maharashtra, around Jayakwadi Dam on the Godavari River. The objectives of the present study are (1) to assess the sustainability of the Agroecosystem of the sugarcane cultivation in a local context with fewer resources available for study. (2) To identify and know the present status of activities that need to be improved for sustainable agriculture. Agroecological sustainability of sugarcane management practices conceptualized and operationalized using SALT (The sustainability assessment Adaptive and Low-input Tool). Overall, social and economic dimensions showed low values. Sub-indicators within social dimension like organized farmers, participation in decision making and level of trust in public institution were observed low. Most of other sub-indicators are of average values. Farmers training, self help groups, Group farming, subsidies for infrastructure and agricultural inputs, crushing of sugarcane residue, preservation of local seeds, use of locally made and organic fertilizers like vermicopost, biofertilizers can aid sustainable agriculture. Use of MIS,GIS,and IT can support good governance which will improve public trust and participation.

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Notes

  1. Farmers who cultivate sugarcane.

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Acknowledgements

I am thankful of the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India, for its monthly fellowship as Fellow Program in Management to do this research work. I am also thankful to my FPM (PhD) supervisor, Dr. Omprakash Madguni for valuable guidance. Lastly, I thank farmers from the study area who responded to online survey and sugarcane factories, shops of agriculture inputs who provided list of farmers.

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  1. Ecosystem and Environment Management, Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, India

    Rahul Wadghane

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Wadghane, R. Sustainability Management Status of Agro-Ecosystems: A Case Study of Sugarcane Farmers in Shevgaon and Paithan (Sub-Districts) of Maharashtra, India. Agric Res 11, 737–746 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40003-022-00617-8

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