Zero Tillage Method of Maize Cultivation in Visakhapatnam District of North Coastal Zone of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract— Maize is a major predominant crop during the Rabi season in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh. Traditionally, farmers grow maize by ploughing fields after paddy harvest and sowing seeds behind the plough or by dibbling, which leads to loss of residual soil moisture and delayed sowing. To conserve this crucial moisture and enable timely sowing, the zero-tillage practice was introduced by the DAATTC, Visakhapatnam, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture. This method involves sowing maize directly into unploughed fields using a manually operated ‘Peg Marker,’ eliminating the need for tillage. On-Farm Demonstrations (OFDs) were organized across 16 locations in the district during Rabi 2021-22 and Rabi 2022-23. Zero-tillage maize recorded a significant yield advantage, with an average increase of 9.4% (6701 kg/ha vs. 6125 kg/ha in conventional tillage). Economically, the practice was highly beneficial, reducing the cost of cultivation by approximately 11.1% (Rs. 3,500/ha) due to savings on tillage and irrigation. Combined with a 7-10 day earlier harvest that fetched a premium market price (Rs. 14/kg vs. Rs. 12/kg), zero-tillage resulted in a 40.0% higher net income (Rs. 64,401/ha vs. Rs. 42,000/ha) and a superior cost-benefit ratio (3.30 vs. 1.33). The study concludes that zero-tillage maize is a feasible, profitable, and moisture-conserving technology for rice fallows in the region.