Assessment of Happy Seeder as a Resource Conservation Technology in Hamirpur District of Uttar Pradesh, India

Residue burning in conventional agriculture poses a significant challenge, resulting in the loss of vital plant nutrients and contributing to environmental degradation. To address these issues, it is important to develop feasible, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly technologies. In light of this pressing concern, an on-farm trial was conducted during 2019-20 & 2020-21 to evaluate the performance of happy seeders based on yield and economics, compared to the existing farmer's conventional practice of sowing the wheat crop. The Happy Seeder, a resource-conserving technology for residue management in agricultural systems, has gained significant attention for its potential to improve soil health, reduce the burning of crop residues, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. This study assesses the effectiveness and adoption of the Happy Seeder in Hamirpur District, Uttar Pradesh, India, focusing on its role in resource conservation, cost savings, and productivity enhancement. The study revealed that the average reduction in weed count in happy seeder fields was 33.3% compared to normal sown wheat. Sowing of wheat crops with a happy seeder yielded 5% more over farmer's fields. Happy seeder sown wheat recorded higher net income (Rs. 92454/ha) with B:C ratio of 1:4.4 compared to normal sown wheat i.e. Rs. 80026 /ha with B:C ratio of 1: 3.3.