*Corresponding author: dhiman_mukherjee@yahoo.co.in (ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2192-1645)
Sustainable crop production is an integral part of food production system. Food and agriculture allied sector depend on the natural resources, so future food production will depend on how well these resources are conserved and used. Crop productivity is impacted by urban land expansion and by higher water demand from other sectors. Observation for last five year (2018 to 2023) in different block of Jhargram district revealed that, digitalisation holds considerable potential to transform the food, agriculture and soil productivity system. Mobile devices, proper data analytic, high quality satellite imagery in different pocket, precision equipment, and artificial intelligence – among others – could contribute greatly to increase productivity, sustainability and resilience across the district for higher crop output. Use of appropriate and new technological developments could make it possible for farmers to monitor their crops and livestock with greater precision, to fine-tune applications of inputs (such as fertilizers and feed supplements), and to use large amounts of data to determine optimal agriculture production choices. There is a growing urgency for governments to realign policies in light of the emerging challenges and opportunities. Changing policies for credit system, crop insurance scheme to food growers of Jhargram and adjoining tribal belt in agriculture is seldom easy, as potential impacts on rural livelihoods, income distribution, and competitiveness create significant uncertainties.
Proper and scientific techniques of crop cultivation under limited resources become very much challenging and this need to be addressed at individual block levels, keeping in mind farmer’s limitations.
High potential for an intensive rainfed farming system under the umbrella of modern tools (digitization) with time time-bound field extension service.
Food production, Challenges, Red-lateritic belt, Climate change, Sustainability
