In India, rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) has contributed and will continue to contribute largely towards food security. Well-planned steps are necessary to make it sustainable and more productive without any adverse effects on the natural resources and the environment. Past studies indicate that sustainability of RWCS in the Indo-Gangetic Plains is at risk mainly due to decline in groundwater levels, soil organic matter content and nutrient availability, increased soil salinization and pest incidence. Practices for sustainable management diversified crop rotations that enhance soil cover and fertility, and accelarated adoption of resource conserving technologies like zero-tillage, bed planting, laser leveling, surface seeding, intercropping of high value crops, furrow irrigated raised bed planting technique, etc., all of which have been briefed in the present paper.
