Technology needs for sustained agriculture and resource use: a case study of Mewat district, Haryana, India

Sustaining agriculture and food security in the face of serious and widespread problems of resource degradation and more ominous climate change related issues has emerged as a major challenge of the present century. In the past most interventions to enhance agriculture have aimed at improving crop yields through the supply of seed improved cultivation and inputs and little consideration has been given to sustainable resource use management. A small study was conducted in the Mewat district of Haryana, India with an objective to examine is as to what extent the past agricultural development efforts and technological interventions has benefitted the region considering the associated impact which these interventions entailed on the state of natural resources. The study has clearly indicated that past agricultural development has significantly impacted natural resource base of the region specifically groundwater and the soils of the region. Thus it has been observed that declining availability and quality of ground water resource, widespread problem of soil degradation, lack of fodder and feed resource for the livestock, and fuel for household would appear the key entry points where the activities of different agencies must complement to yield sustainable gains in livelihood opportunities.