Good agricultural practices (GAP) concept initiated with the understanding that practices followed to produce food that is safe to eat and ecologically sustain resources. It is defined as optimization of technologies and resources for sustainable agriculture and food safety. GAP principle and standards that are required for production of quality produce are developed by FAO (2003). Technology transfer of GAP principles have been applied at farm level for soil fertility management, crop production, post harvest and animal production practices aspects, for three successive years from 2011-2014, in the study area of Rangareddy district of Telangana state. Small and marginal women farmers possessing 1-2 acres of land have fully benefitted from the GAP interventions in terms of knowledge and adoption. These women farmers were involved in on-farm demonstrations, farm field schools, training, field days, exposure visits and were also connected to ICT tools through SMS alerts. The GAP technologies included are soil test based fertilizers, application of biofertilizers like PSB and rhizobium, seed treatment of pulses, plastic mulching and stacking of tomatoes, zero tillage of maize and technologies for reducing post harvest losses and other animal production practices. In training the emphasis was placed on benefits of practicing green manuring, use of compost with crop residues and FYM, benefits of soil test based fertilizer application, benefits accrued with minimal tillage and less mechanical disturbances to soil, maintenance of clean and hygienic conditions at post harvest levels and providing clean drinking water and dry conditions for animals. Farm women benefited from GAP interventions in understanding the basic importance of of soil fertility management, crop production practices, post harvest technologies, and animal production practices. It was evident from significant differences in knowledge levels between beneficiaries and non beneficiaries that reflected from high mean scores. This change is however necessary to improve profitability and sustainability of small farms and its development.

Keyword: Agricultural practices, Small farm development, Rainfed, Sustainable agriculture