Constraints Faced by Farmers in the Adoption of Recommended Soil Health Management Practices in the Rice–Wheat Cropping System of Punjab: Implications for Sustainable Agriculture

The rice–wheat cropping system is the dominant agricultural production system in Punjab and contributes significantly to India's food security. However, continuous intensive cultivation under this system has resulted in soil degradation, groundwater depletion and environmental challenges, thereby necessitating the adoption of sustainable soil health management practices. Recommended practices such as crop residue management, direct seeded rice, green manuring, balanced fertilization and soil testing–based nutrient management have been promoted for sustaining productivity and conserving natural resources. Despite their proven benefits, adoption among farmers remains uneven due to several socio-economic, technological and institutional barriers. The present study was conducted to identify and analyse the constraints faced by farmers in adopting recommended soil health management practices in the rice–wheat cropping system of Punjab. The study was based on primary data collected from 300 farmers through a structured interview schedule. Constraints were categorized into economic, institutional, technological, input, behavioural and production constraints. The findings revealed that technological constraints emerged as the most severe category with a mean score of 4.34, followed by production constraints (3.65) and economic constraints (2.97). Preparation of prali char was perceived as the most critical technological constraint by 99.33 per cent of the respondents, while high hiring charges of paddy straw management machinery (73.33%) and higher expenditure on weedicide usage in direct seeded rice cultivation (71.00%) were identified as major economic and production constraints, respectively. Institutional issues such as lack of prohibitive measures against excessive fertilizer use and increased reliance on private agencies also influenced adoption behaviour. Behavioural factors such as lack of motivation and peer pressure further affected the adoption process. The study emphasizes the need for strengthening extension services, improving access to machinery and quality inputs, promoting capacity building and formulating supportive policies to encourage wider adoption of sustainable soil health management practices. Effective implementation of these interventions can improve soil health, enhance resource-use efficiency and ensure long-term sustainability of Punjab agriculture.