Aim: This study aimed to quantify and identify the trends in the yield gaps over the 15 years (2006-07 to 2020-21) in the Karimnagar district of Telangana State in India. The DSSAT v4.7.5 CERES-Rice model was used to calculate the potential yields and then yield gaps were calculated. For the yield gaps, linear and compound growth rates were determined. Results: (Crop Environment Resource Synthesis) CERES-Rice model has simulated the potential yields with the given weather and soil data of Karimnagar district in India. Yield gap I has recorded positive trend, whereas the yield gap II and total yield gaps have recorded negative trend. Linear and Compound growth rates for yield gap I, yield gap II and total yield gaps were calculated in which only yield gap I showed positive growth rates whereas yield gap II and total yield gaps showed negative growth rates. However, at 5% level, the growth rates in yield gap-II are significant. Conclusion: It has been observed that, in Karimnagar district of Telangana, the production of rice has increased during the period under study, however there are yield gaps in rice. Using the DSSAT (Decision-support system for Agro-technology Transfer) model, potential rice yields in the Karimnagar district were predicted. There was no much variation in the yield gap I and it was noticed negative trends in yield gap II and total yield gaps. These gaps are to be filled to boost the productivity.

Agriculture caused significant harm to the environment for a long time. More acreage, fertiliser and pesticides were used to boost the output. Sustainable development is one that meets present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own. According to study, a number of factors can affect a farmer's decision to adopt sustainable practises. The research investigation employed Ex-post-facto-research design as the event has already happened. The present study aimed to assess the profile characteristics of farmers on Paddy farming sustainability and adoption of recommended sustainable farming practices comprising the data from three different zones of the Telangana state. Three districts namely Nizamabad, Khammam and Nalgonda from each zone of Telangana state were selected for the purpose respectively during the year 2021. As these three districts account for Paddy area compared to other districts. Purposive sampling technique was employed for data collection from 216 Paddy growing farmers by standardized and pre-tested interview schedule. Findings revealed that majority of the farmers were middle-aged (54.62 %), educated up to primary school (25.19 %), semi-medium in land holdings (25.32 %), followed by possessed medium level of income (55.56 %), mass media exposure (73.14 %), extension contact (56.10 %), extension participation (73.60 %), management orientation (71.75 %), scientific orientation (58.10 %), innovativeness (81.00 %), economic motivation (67.50 %), decision-making pattern (62.51 %), value orientation (52.79 %), level of aspiration (64.35 %) and risk orientation (53.20 %), whereas high level of farming experience (60.18 %), high farming commitment (54.62 %) and high achievement motivation (51.86 %). The policymakers should instruct researchers, extension specialists, NGO’s and field workers to serve as advisors, facilitators and collaborators for inspiring and empowering farmers to actively participate in solving issues related to sustainable farming cultivation practises. Hence, these variables have to be considered in promoting farmers among the farming community in the long run.

Agriculture had a significant negative impact on environment for many decades. More land, fertiliser and pesticides had been used to increase the yield. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. According to research, a number of factors can affect farmers' decisions to effectively implement sustainable practises. This present investigation was undertaken during 2021-2023 to specify the item wise adoption of recommended sustainable Paddy farming practices in three districts namely Nizamabad, Khammam and Nalgonda districts representing North, Central and South agro climatic zones of Telangana state, respectively as these three districts account for more Paddy area from amongst the respective zones. Purposive sampling technique was employed for data collection from 216 Paddy farmers. Findings revealed that item wise adoption of recommended sustainable practices, depicts the partial adoption of listed components such as (puddling had complete adoption), selection of variety, selection of certified seed, seed rate, seed treatment (chemical methods had no adoption, pre-germination of Paddy seeds had complete adoption), nursery seed bed raising (sowing at recommended time had complete adoption), age of seedling (maintaining  closer spacing of aged seedlings and increasing  number of aged seedlings per hill had complete adoption), time of transplanting (transplanting in (first fortnight of June-July Kharif), (October -November-Rabi) had complete adoption), method of transplanting (transplanting the recommended number of seedlings per hill had complete adoption), row spacing (maintaining the recommended spacing between the two hills had complete adoption), fertilizers application, weed management, integrated pest and disease management, time of harvesting (harvesting crop at the recommended time had complete adoption) and method of harvesting (harvesting through combine harvester, drying Paddy after harvesting for one to two days and crop rotation like growing legumes before cereals to enhance farms biological stability had complete adoption). It may be a result of the farming experience, farming commitment, education, economic motivation, achievement motivation, connections with extension services, risk orientation and innovativeness in their farming methods drive for success. The aforementioned pattern of findings was also influenced by the efforts of line departments and front-line extension organisations like the District Agricultural Advisory and Transfer of Technology Centre and Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s.