Sustainability of paddy-wheat rotation in Punjab

The paddy-wheat rotation has been predominant in the agricultural scenario of Punjab but has recently come under severe criticism due to the resource depleting intensive agricultural practices associated with it. The present study is an attempt to understand the issues relating to the sustainability of this rotation in terms of the carbon equivalents of inputs and outputs involved in its production process. The results revealed that paddy crop is more resource depleting than the wheat crop and the inefficiencies in its production are larger in the case of the small farmers. It thus, emphasizes upon the threat being posed to the sustainability of an important source of livelihood for the agrarian community of Punjab, especially in the case of the small land holders.