LAND PREPARATION

Plough soon after harvesting while the soil is still moist to facilitate complete organic incorporation and decomposition and also to enhance aeration and facilitate root development and plant growth. Farmers are advised not to burn crop residues such as stalks after harvesting. This is to reserve nutrients from these residues and also to prevent release of carbon dioxide which may contribute to greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. This should be followed by breaking of clods, leveling, bunding and pudding for easy transplanting, good crop establishment, crop growth and weed control
Divide the field into small plots (10m by 10m) and make bunds around them to improve water availability
Bunds assist in controlling the movement and distribution of rainwater
Plough immediately after harvest to reduce weed population
Puddling helps further in the initial weed control operations.

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