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Alternate land uses that restore ecological balance with economic viability are desirable. Alternate land uses, that is, horti‐pasture systems (HPSs) with Emblica officinalis and Psidium guajava trees and pasture (Cenchrus ciliaris + Stylosanthes seabrana), were introduced with different soil moisture conservation measures (staggered contour trenches [T1], continuous contour trenches [T2], stone mulch [T3], vegetative barriers [T4], and control [T5]) for reclamation of degraded land and to test their capacity to perform ecological functions and provide economic return to the farmers. After 10 years, T1 increased soil organic carbon by ~58% and 15% over control in Emblica‐ and Psidium‐based HPS, respectively. T1 stipulated fruit and pasture yield by ~45% and 90% and 32% and 22% over control plots, in those HPS, respectively; T1 also improved fodder and fruit quality. Changing climates significantly affected the fruit and pasture yield. Despite this, T1 assured a benefit–cost ratio of 3.78 and 4.23 in those HPSs, respectively. The sustainable yield index for fruit and pasture in T1 were approximately (a) 1.85 and 1.68 and (b) 1.33 and 1.25 times higher than control, for Emblica‐ and Psidium‐based HPS, respectively. Soil moisture conservation could enhance profit by ~30% and 20% in those HPSs, respectively over control. T1 can potentially recycle approximately (a) 83%, 77%, and 71% and (b) 62%, 122%, and 81% higher N, P, and K than control in those HPSs, respectively. Thus, Emblica‐ and Psidium‐based HPS with staggered trenching could be replicated on a wide scale to enhance income, ensure fodder supply, and improve degraded land.

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A field experiment was conducted during kharif seasons of 2010 and 2011 to find out the suitable integrated nutrient management (INM) package for successful blackgram production in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. The results indicates that significantly higher grain (959 kg ha-1), stover (2479 kg ha-1) and biological (3438 kg ha-1) yields and harvest index (27.9%) of blackgram were recorded with the application of soil test based NPK+10 t FYM ha-1+ Rhizobium + 30kg S ha-1+ 1kg Mo ha-1 over rest of the treatments. With regards to economics, soil test based application of NPK + 10t FYM ha-1 + Rhizobium + 30kg S ha- 1+ 1kg Mo ha-1 resulted in highest gross returns (44,580 ha-1), net returns (26,519 ha-1) and benefit: cost ratio (2.27) over other nutritional treatments. Similarly, integration of FYM, NPKSMo with Rhizobium significantly enhances the nitrogen (3.98% and1.55%), phosphorus (0.53% and 0.27%), potassium (2.52% and 3.53% ), sulphur (0.39% and 0.31%), and molybdenum (4.25 mg kg-1 and 3.59 mg kg-1) contents in grain and stover of blackgram over control, respectively.

After the green revolution, there has been a substantial increase in the productivity of food crops. But the nutritional aspect of crops could not keep pace with the growing demand of the population. This has led to a rise in malnutrition problems, especially in developing countries, due to a lack of balanced nutrition. Agronomic biofortification, the process of increasing micronutrient content in food crops through agronomic approaches, is seen as an important process to improve the status of malnutrition in the world. It is seen as a quick, safe, and cost-friendly approach to provide iron, zinc, and other micronutrients in our everyday diet. Unlike molecular/genetic approaches, agronomic biofortification is done on existing crops and varieties and hence the product is easily accepted by the consumers. Approaches like integrated nutrient management (INM) based on soil test values, microbial application, foliar spray of nutrients, can substantially increase the level of micronutrients, vitamins, folic acid, etc. in our food. With sufficient research interventions and awareness programs, agronomic biofortification can serve as a tool to improve the nutritional status of the world.