Zero tillage
Also called: No-till farming · Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Zero tillage means sowing seed straight into soil that has not been ploughed. The leftover stalks from the last crop (crop residue) stay on the field. This saves time, fuel and water and protects the soil. It is a core practice of conservation agriculture, whose three principles are minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover and crop diversification.
Example
In Punjab, a farmer uses a Happy Seeder to sow wheat directly into paddy stubble. There is no need to burn the stubble to clear the field, so the practice also cuts the winter smog over Delhi-NCR.
Don't confuse with
- Direct seeded rice: this is sowing rice seed directly instead of transplanting seedlings. It is about how rice is planted. Zero tillage is about leaving the soil unploughed.
Related concepts
- Traditional knowledge
- Vermicomposting
- Biopest control
- Integrated pest management
- Organic farming
- Organic food
- Natural farming
- Zero budget natural farming
- Conservation agriculture
- Direct seeded rice