The present paper reviews the present status and future needs of management of natural resources and foodgrain production in different agro-climatic zones of the newly formed Jharkhand state. The region primarily has problems of alnd degradation and soil erosion with acute problems of irrigation. Major emphasis is required for rain water conservation and use and management of excess water in medium and lowlands to increase the productivity of foodgrains to 1.7 t/ha from the present level of 0.9 t/ha. There is acute shortage in foodgrain production even to meet the present population of the state. Nutrient use per unit of cropped land is very low (25 to 30 kg NPK/ha) resulting in large scale mining of soil nutrients. Estimates show that there is a negative balance of plant nutrients to the tune of about 0.18 million tonnes of NPK. Through on-farm research on a participatory mode using a bottom up approach, significant improvements can be brought about in foodgrain production with proper management of naturces.
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