Productivity of rainfed monocropping farming system in North Eastern Region of India is low and it is a high economic risk activity. Intensive natural resources mining, continuous degradation of natural resources (soil, water, vegetation) and practice of monocropping under conventional agricultural practices will not ensure farm productivity and food security in the coming years. In order to keep the production system in different land situations sustainable, conservation agriculture based on no-till system is an alternative to reconcile agriculture with its environment and overcome the imposed constraints of climate change and continuous inputs cost. Studies on conservation tillage and residue management in different land situations were conducted during 2006-2009 and they are highlighted in this article. In terrace upland, growing mustard completely on residual moisture following upland rice/maize was possible when it is practised under conservation tillage (crop residue of all crops, including weed biomass incorporated). Similarly, in valley upland, growing second crop of pea in rice fallow is possible if two-thirds or half of rice residues are retained on the soil surface under zero tillage. A long-term study (2006-2009) revealed that double no-till practice in rice-based system is cost-effective, restored soil organic carbon (70.75%), favoured biological activity (46.7%), conserved water and produced yield (49%) higher than conventional tillage. Therefore, conservation tillage practised in terrace upland, valley upland and low-land situations ensured double-cropping, improved farm income and livelihood in rainfed NE India.
