Steps toward alternative farming system in rice

•Alternative farming system used for sustainable rice cultivation.•Standardized combine dose of inorganic, organic and bio-fertilizer for rice cultivation.•Significant quantity of inorganic fertilizer supplemented, using organic and bio-fertilizer.•Soil health as well as productivity developed using alternative farming system.

An experiment was conducted on rice, in old alluvial soil zone, with bio-fertilizer and different doses of organic manure and chemical fertilizer to develop an alternative farming system which is productive, profitable, enhances soil health and conserves the natural resources over a long term. The experiment was conducted for four consecutive years (2007–2010) and it has been observed that 40% N and 25% P chemical fertilizer can safely be supplemented by low-cost, natural resource based bio-fertilizer (Azotobacter sp. and PSB) at 12 kg ha−1 and organic manure (FYM) at 10.00 t ha−1 to achieve long-term sustainability in rice cultivation that is more productive and profitable.