India is the second most populous country in the world. The cultivable land resource is shrinking day by day. To meet the food, fibre, fuel, fodder, and other needs of the growing population, the productivity of agricultural land has necessarily to be increased. It requires increased use of agricultural inputs like quality seeds, fertilizers, water, agro-chemicals, etc, in such a manner that do not create any environmental problems.

 Creating awareness among farmers is very essential by providing information on basic elements of technically sound, economically attractive, environmentally safe, practically feasible and socially acceptable management practices for ensuring sustainable and high agricultural productivity .

 The important components of best agricultural practices are comprised of:

• selection of quality seed of high yielding variety
• best time and appropriate method of sowing with optimum seed rate and plant population
• choice of fertilizers, their doses, method and time of application
• appropriate measures against possible insect pests and diseases
• intercultural operation and weed control
• provision of irrigation and drainage
• adoption of appropriate management practices, keeping in view the agro-ecological situations as well as the socio-economic conditions of farmers.

Among the different agricultural practices required for good crop production, the use of the fertilizers together with quality seeds and water are the most important. Some of the best agricultural practices are discussed in the following pages.