There are a total of twelve chapters in this book. The first chapter serves as an introduction, providing a foundation in agriculture and food security. The second chapter delves into the fundamentals of sustainable agriculture and alternative agriculture practices, including organic farming, ecological farming, bio-dynamic farming, natural farming, and zero budget natural farming (ZBNF), among others. Chapter three continues with an in-depth exploration of these alternative farming methods. Chapter four delves into the soil and plant nutrients necessary for growth, while chapter five focuses on water management and dryland technology for sustainable crop production. Chapter six discusses integrated pest management tactics, while chapter seven explores diversified and integrated farming systems. Chapter eight examines sustainable natural resource management, and chapter nine delves into the nutrition-sensitive food system in the context of sustainability. Chapter ten focuses on conservation agriculture, while chapter eleven explores climate-resilient agriculture for sustainable crop production. Lastly, chapter twelve summarizes the key sustainable agriculture practices discussed throughout the book. All chapters are well-supported with data, tables, figures, and photographs, and include extensive and up-to-date references.

Sri Bidyadhar Maharana, a Post Graduate in Agronomy from Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology was in government service in Agriculture Department, Odisha from 1965 to 2002 in various capacities. Before his retirement he was a National Professional in a GOI-UNDP Assisted Sub-programme “Strengthening NRM and Sustainable Livelihoods of Women in Agriculture in Tribal Odisha” for five years in Odisha. He was a freelancer Consultant in WB, IFAD, DFID, ADB, UNDP, UNICEF, IWMI, CARE assisted programmes/projects in Odisha from 1996 to till date. He was a certified Trainer by Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India for Odisha and had trained middle level and high level officials in Odisha on subject matters including Sustainable Agriculture, NRM and Watershed management for about three decades. He was National Monitor of Ministry of RD for three years in connection with monitoring of PMGSY, MGNREGA, IAY, NSAP, IWMP, SBM and NWDPRA programmes in Nagaland, Jharkhand and West Bengal. He is providing consultancy to reputed NGOs/ Organisations like XIMB-CENDERET, CYSD, Agragamee, PRAGATI, NIRMAN, IGSSS, OPSL, RICOR, OTELP etc. till now. He has developed a User Manuals on Micro-Planning, Decentralised GP Planning, GP Minimalistic Plan, Women and Child Friendly GP, RKVY, Nutrition Garden, Land & Water Management Manual for UNDP, UNICEF, SIRD, IGSSS, Government of Odisha. He has written a number of book-lets and reading materials for the farmers and extension workers of Odisha. He was co-author of a book “Integrated Pest Management” in 1990 published by DANIDA Project in Odisha along with Sri G.N.Nayak. He has conducted a number of evaluation studies and Baseline Studies for many organisations like Government of Odisha, IIT, Bhubaneswar, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), CARE India, DFID, NABARD for two decades.

Professor (Dr) Subodha Kumar Sahu, Odisha University of Agriculture & Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar was a Professor of OUAT in Soil Science. He was in OUAT service from 1969 to 2002, in research, extension and teaching. After his retirement he was a member of the Senate of agriculture faculty of the University, Viswabharati, Shantiniketan for one year and an Emeritus Scientist of Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) for one year. He guided 10 PhD students for doctorate degree in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry and advised 7 students for PhD. He was also a recognised guide for PhD in Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. He has published 130 articles in various Journals including International Journals. He is author of 12 Books on Agriculture Chemistry and participated in several International Seminars. He is still writing several agricultural books in Odia language for farmers of Odisha. His latest book released in 2021 is on Soil.

1. Introduction 2. The Basics of Sustainable Agriculture 3. Alternative Agriculture 4. Soil and Plant Nutrition 5. Water Management and Dryland Technology 6. Integrated Pest Management 7. Diversified Farming Systems 8. Sustainable Natural Resource Management 9. Nutrition Sensitive Food System 10. Conservation Agriculture 11. Climate Resilient Agriculture for Sustainability 12. Summary of Sustainable Agriculture Practices