<div>Declining per capita land, water and other resources triggered by changing climate and increasing population need resource conservation technologies (RCTs) for agricultural sustainability. This paper has presented findings from recent research on resource conservation technologies that have been attempted in different regions of India. The superiority of resource conservation technologies (RCTs) such as laser land leveling, zero tillage, bed planting, direct seeded rice, leaf colour chart, green seeker and crop diversification over conventional methods of cultivation practices is evaluated in terms of saving of energy, water and labour, increase in crop yield, water productivity, nutrient-use efficiency, net returns and making agriculture climate smart. Zero tillage with residue retention increase soil organic carbon sequestration, conserve soil moisture and lower soil temperature thus making agriculture climate smart. Direct seeded rice is solution for labour scarcity, excessive water and fuel use in transplanted rice. Use of leaf colour chart saves nitrogenous fertilizers. Laser land leveling and bed planting practices increase water productivity and crop yield over conventional practices. But the machinery required for adoption of RCTs are heavy and costly, so the study has suggested the use of machines on co-operative basis and also the wider scale testing of new technologies under diverse production systems.</div>

Resource Conservation Technologies in Era of Climate Change: A Review

This review paper aims to thoroughly analyse the economic viability and profitability of resource conservation technologies in the rice-wheat cropping system in India&rsquo;s Indo-Gangetic Plains. A thorough analysis of the body of current research has been considered as part of the manuscript preparation process. The utilization of resource-saving technology is crucial in maintaining and improving the rice-wheat system&rsquo;s productivity while lowering production costs. Zero tillage methods for wheat and DSR and FIRB methods for rice were found to be most commonly used resource conserving technologies in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. Additionally, data suggests that implementing resource conservation methods led to a notable increase in productivity, cost reduction and sustainability in the rice-wheat system. Adoption of resource-conserving technology decreased farmers&rsquo; costs per ha by 20-22 per cent and raised net income by 25-30 per cent in the wheat-rice system. The high cost of RCTs machinery, the lack of a comprehensive resource conservation agriculture package for different agro climatic regions, the scarcity of suitable varieties for RCT technology and the shortage of skilled agricultural laborers to effectively operate machinery were noted as barriers to technology access. Aside from improving technical efficiency, other important elements that positively impact the adoption of RCTs include financial availability, improved extension services and resource management training. The policies must be developed to promote and facilitate the broader use of these technologies accordingly. 
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Economic Efficiency and Profitability of Resource Conservation Technologies in the Rice-wheat Cropping System in India&rsquo;s Indo-gangetic Plains: A Review

Continuous use of conventional farming practices with conventional tillage and burning crop residues has degraded the soil resource base and intensified soil degradation with concomitant decrease in crop production capacity. Further, escalating fuel, fertilizers and other input costs; necessitates the effective use of resources in agriculture. Conservation agriculture (CA) consists of four principles: (i) minimizing mechanical soil disturbance and seeding directly into untilled soil, (ii) using cover crops and/or crop residues (mainly residue retention), (iii) diversification of crops in associations, sequences and rotations and (iv) controlled traffic that lessen soil compaction. The CA technologies involving no- or minimum-tillage with direct seeding and bed planting, residue management and crop diversification have potential for improving productivity and soil quality, mainly by soil organic matter build-up. Conservation agriculture systems appear to be appealing options to achieve sustainable and intensive crop production under different agroecological environments because they use available resources efficiently and maintain soil fertility. However, there is a need for wider scale testing of these new technologies under diverse production systems, as the CA technologies are site specific and therefore appraisal of CA is important to have significant adoption.&nbsp;

Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs)-Needs and future prospects: A review 
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Background: Semi-arid regions (SARs) of India are characterized by limited rainfall and often prone to droughts. These regions typically receive moderate to low levels of precipitation, making agriculture and water availability significantly challenging. In India, 55% of population is engaged in agriculture and its allied activities. Despite making a significant contribution to livelihoods, the sector continues to face challenges as soil degradation and resource depletion have reduced crop and livestock outputs. To mitigate the effects of land degradation and conserve rainwater, government has taken significant measures to make natural resource conservation a priority throughout the country. To conserve the natural resources, women are always playing an important role as they are always involved in agricultural activities.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The study was undertaken to investigate the role of women in Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) in 3 SARs of India. The purposive sampling was done as watershed beneficiaries were selected as sample respondents. 
 
Result: The results revealed that majority of women (55%) had a medium level of technology adoption. Multiple regression analysis revealed that women&rsquo;s age, education, farming experience, risk bearing, social participation and cost-effectiveness were influencing the adoption of SWC technologies in watersheds. The correlation analysis reflected that out of sixteen factors, eleven factors namely age, education, farming experience, land holding, risk bearing, social participation, agro advisory and weather advisory, skill development, ease of use and cost effectiveness significantly affected the adoption of SWC technologies.

Farm Women Participation in Natural Resource Conservation: Technology Adoption Study in Semi-Arid Regions of India

Background: Lentil, a popular pulse in the daily diet on Indian population, is a highly potential crop in the rice fallow. In Manipur, a large part of the rice area remains fallow after harvest of kharif rice. Lentil has a very good potential for increasing farm income as well as cropping intensity in these areas. It is obvious that the resources found in rice fallows give a chance to introduce a pulse crop. Those fallow lands can be effectively transformed into productive ones if the location-specific constraints are effectively managed. In addition to increasing system production, it will also improve soil quality, enhance farmers&rsquo; income and most importantly, guarantee farmers nutritional security. Since the system uses the residue moisture for growth and development, crop productivity can be even doubled or tripled under rice fallow conditions. Keeping these in mind, these demonstrations are thoughtfully planned, with objectives to boost productivity and production by ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra Chandel. 
 
Methods: The study was conducted in Chandel district of Manipur state during 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 to maximise the productivity of lentil under rice fallow. Sample consisted of randomly selected 75 farmers who were growing lentil under Cluster Front Line Demonstrations with an area of 30 hectares with all the scientific package of practices. 
 
Result: The results revealed that improved technology recorded a mean yield of 952 kg/ha which was 22.38 per cent higher than the mean yield obtained under farmers&rsquo; practice (675 kg/ha). The mean technological and extension gap were 448 kg/ha and 276 kg/ha respectively. The study also showed that reduction in technology index from 34.29 per cent during 2022-23 to 29.64 per cent during 2024-25 exhibited the feasibility of demonstrated technology. The lower the value of technology index, the more is the feasibility of technology. The average benefit cost ratio of 2.62 was obtained under demonstration, while it was only 1.93 under farmers&rsquo; practices. Hence, for maximizing productivity, profitability and resource conservation there is a need to disseminate the improved technologies amongst the farmers with effective extension methods like training and demonstrations and also by using High Yielding Verities of seeds and proven technologies in farmers&rsquo; field. The farmers should be encouraged to adopt the recommended package of practices for realizing higher returns.

Lentil Cultivation in Rice Fallow for Maximizing Productivity, Profitability and Resource Conservation

Soil and groundwater, important natural resources, are essential for sustaining ecosystem health and maintaining agricultural production. However, both resources are under severe threat due to increasing demand for human consumption, agricultural operations and industrial activities. This situation warrants accurate monitoring and mapping to ensure their sustainable use. Since conventional methods are expensive and cumbersome, there is a need for innovative alternative approaches. The integration of remote sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and advanced geospatial technologies offers effective solutions for mapping and monitoring soil and groundwater. These tools provide accurate, cost-effective methods for estimating soil properties, detecting land degradation processes such as soil salinization and identifying potential groundwater zones. High-resolution satellite imagery, combined with machine learning, enables digital soil mapping, improving assessments of soil variability and land suitability. The adoption of these advanced technologies has revolutionized soil and groundwater assessment. Digital soil mapping enhances understanding of land resources, while remote sensing and GIS facilitate environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture. This article systematically underscores the role of these technologies in soil and groundwater management, highlighting their importance in resource sustainability. 
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Leveraging Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technologies in Soil and Water Resources Mapping and Characterization: A Review

<div>The search for viable agricultural production systems in the era of unpredictable climate events has elevated the prospects of agroforestry practices for resilience and sustainability. The litter biomass in these ecosystems govern the biogeochemical nutrient cycling prevalent, but can also serve as organic inputs in crop production under situations where these are considered as menace and cumbersome to dispose. When left to decay under natural conditions litter takes a considerably long time for decomposition and release of nutrients entrapped in them. With the increasing need to conserve natural resources and energy, recycling of organic wastes assumes major significance. Leaf litters are untapped sources of nutrients and are generated in substantial quantities in most of the agroforestrty systems. Among the different alternatives available for recycling biomass residues, composting is considered most efficient and viable option, but recent innovations such as biochar production and thermochemical digestion have also been attempted. Organic farming strategies call for in situ production of nutrient inputs for economic viability of the practice and hence information on alternative technologies to enrich the repository of organic manures in the form of litter compost will be of immense importance. These composts could be recycled to soil for enriching soil organic carbon, plant nutrients and to sustain soil health in the long run. Proper utilization of the biowastes in the tree based systems will also ensure reduction in environmental pollution and forest fire incidents that otherwise threaten life. The review unveils the possible technologies for recycling the litter and use as a nutrient source but emphasizes the need for a suitable environment favouring the rapid decomposition.</div>

Recycling of Leaf Litters: Biowaste Management for Resource Conservation

<div>Background: A suitable cropping system seem to be the possible solution to meet the continuous increase in demand for food, stability of income and diverse requirement of food grains. Selection of suitable cropping system for conservation of resources has prime importance now a day. The cropping systems selected in study have higher potential of production along with incorporable residues during winter. The residues of cotton, castor and mustard crops (Crops in selected cropping systems) have more potential to feed nutrients to soil as compared to burning. So incorporation of such crop residues in to soil helps to recycle the nutrients to correct their deficiencies. Farmyard manure is being used as major source of organic manure in field crops. Thus to maintain the soil health, integrated nutrient management approaches involving FYM and mineral source need to be standardized. So there is need to find out agronomically efficient and economically viable cropping system which can perform better for increasing productivity and profitability with association of conservation of natural resources. 
 
Methods: The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications. Sixteen treatment combinations comprising of four cropping system treatments viz, C1 : Cotton- Summer Pearlmillet, C2 : Greengram + Kharif &nbsp;Castor (Relay), C3 : Greengram - Mustard - Summer Pearlmillet and C4 : Greengram - Rabi Castor and two residue incorporation treatments viz, R0 : No residue incorporation and R1 : Residue incorporation as well as two fertilizer doses viz, F1 : 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer and F2 : 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM were evaluated in the study. 
 
Result: Cotton - summer pearlmillet cropping system found significantly superior by recording higher pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability while, total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight were found the lowest under greengram- kharif castor (relay) cropping system. Residue incorporation secured top position by recording significantly the highest pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability as well as lowest total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight. Application of 75% RDN through inorganic fertilizer + 25% RDN through FYM recorded significantly highest pearlmillet equivalent yield, system productivity and system profitability. In case of weed count and weed dry weight, 100% RDN through inorganic fertilizer found significantly superior by recording lowest total weed count/m2 and total weed dry weight. &nbsp;</div>

<div>Impact of Cropping Systems and Resource Conservation Techniques on Productivity and Profitability of Systems</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">An adaptive research on effect of moisture conservation technology in cultivation of brinjal under rainfed condition of bundelkhand region was carried out by following randomized complete block design in participatory mode with 10 famers having three technology options (Plastic mulch, Straw mulch and No mulch) of Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh during cropping seasons of kharif, 2018-19 &amp; 2019-20. The observations recorded revealed that the highest saving on weed management and water management were observed in plastic mulching followed by straw mulching. Fruit yield and benefit: cost ratio were also recorded higher in crop having mulch (plastic followed by straw) than no mulch. On the basis of observations recorded it was concluded that mulching is a useful technique to minimize the competition between crop and weed and water stress during long rainfall interval. This technique may help the farmers to minimize the cost of cultivation and maximize more benefits.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Effect of moisture conservation technology in cultivation of brinjal under rainfed condition of Bundelkhand region</div>

Background: Wild animal tracking is crucial for conservation, especially for threatened species like tigers. The Amur tiger is critically endangered, with fewer than 600 left in the wild. The integration of machine learning and drone technology has revolutionized tiger tracking. Drones, or UAVs, play a vital role in wildlife conservation, while machine learning algorithms analyze complex data, make predictions and automate decision-making. This combination enables efficient processing of drone-generated data, including images, sounds and sensor readings. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: This study utilized a dataset comprising 4,413 images sourced from Kaggle, originally derived from the ATRW (Annotated Tigers in the Wild) dataset. To ensure compatibility with the YOLOv8 model, the images were reformatted from PASCAL VOC annotation format to YOLO Darknet format. A series of preprocessing techniques were implemented, including image resizing, data augmentation (such as rotation, horizontal flipping and brightness adjustment) and pixel value normalization to enhance model generalization. The dataset was systematically partitioned into training, validation and test subsets to facilitate robust model evaluation and performance assessment. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The YOLOv8 model exhibited high efficacy in detecting tigers across diverse environmental conditions. It achieved a final Mean Average Precision (mAP) of 0.944, indicating robust detection accuracy. The model demonstrated strong generalization capabilities, effectively identifying tigers under varying illumination, occlusion and background complexities. These findings highlight the potential of YOLOv8 as a reliable tool for automated wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts. 
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Resource Conservation Technologies in Era of Climate Change: A Review

Economic Efficiency and Profitability of Resource Conservation Technologies in the Rice-wheat Cropping System in India’s Indo-gangetic Plains: A Review

Resource Conservation Technologies (RCTs)-Needs and future prospects: A review

Farm Women Participation in Natural Resource Conservation: Technology Adoption Study in Semi-Arid Regions of India

Lentil Cultivation in Rice Fallow for Maximizing Productivity, Profitability and Resource Conservation

Leveraging Remote Sensing and Geospatial Technologies in Soil and Water Resources Mapping and Characterization: A Review

Recycling of Leaf Litters: Biowaste Management for Resource Conservation

Impact of Cropping Systems and Resource Conservation Techniques on Productivity and Profitability of Systems

Effect of moisture conservation technology in cultivation of brinjal under rainfed condition of Bundelkhand region

Wild Animal Tracking for Effective Wildlife Conservation using YOLOv8 and Machine Learning Technologies