 Dryland Farming Dryland refers to an area where annual rainfall is between 750 mm and 1150mm. Due to this reason, farming in these areas need an improved system of cultivation whereby maximum amount of soil and water is conserved. It is called dry land farming. Dry Farming is practised in the Dry parts of India where Arid and Semi-arid conditions prevail. Dryland farming relies on choosing crops and growth techniques that make the most of the land's limited moisture as well as on effective soil moisture storage. The usual practices involve tilling the ground soon after harvest and maintaining it free of weeds, but in some latitudes, stubble is left in the fields after harvest to catch snow. Weed removal and runoff mitigation make up the majority of moisture control measures used during crop growth. The ideal soil surface is devoid of weeds but contains enough clouds or decayed plant material to slow runoff and stop erosion. Characteristics of Dry Land Farming: The soil surface in these regions is also undulating There is an occurrence of extensive climatic hazards like drought, flood etc in these regions Farmers in these regions grow similar type of crops, these regions have very low crop yield In these areas, farmers practice extensive agriculture., prevalence of mono cropping etc Annual rainfall in these regions is uncertain, ill-distributed and limited In these regions, farmers have extensive and large land holdings
Dryland Farming in India:
India has 143 million ha of its geographical area under cropping, out of which 113 m ha has the potential to be irrigated, thus, 30 m ha are rainfed agriculture, even if the full potential of irrigation has been utilised. Presently, India has 93 m ha (recent data = 100 m ha) under irrigation. Thus, 43 m ha are under rainfed conditions. Dryland agriculture refers to the region or the type of farming which is operated in sub humid to arid conditions with inefficient hydrology, lack of irrigation facilities, complete dependency on monsoon rainfall and reflecting a typical cropping pattern of coarse grains millets and oilseeds, pulses, cotton etc. All dryland agriculture qualify to be called as rainfed but it is not so vice – versa, as the fundamental difference is the Agro – ecological properties and the cropping pattern between the two.
.jpg) Need for Dryland Farming in India India has 1/3rd of its geographical area is under humid conditions, while 2/3rd is subhumid or arid conditions. Thus, dryland agriculture occupies larger land than the wet agriculture. It supports 40% of the population and occupies 66% of land. The ratio needs to be rectified, by increasing the productivity of these region For the balanced development of country, dryland agriculture must be emphasized. Dryland agriculture is based on the industrial crops e.g. cotton, groundnut, oilseeds, pulses, tobacco. For development of Agro processing industries and to make Indian agriculture more export- oriented greater emphasis on dryland agriculture is inevitable. Agriculture has forwarded and backward linkages with industry and thus, if industrial crops are produced in greater quantum, meso-scale, household, cottage industries could be developed in rural areas and rural dev processes can be propelled. It will also result in industrialisation and bring about economic growth in the country. Dryland agriculture mostly produces hardy and nutritious crops e.g. Jowar, bajra, ragi, pulses, oilseeds, cottonseeds, sunflower. Thus, the nutrition / malnutrition problems in poor areas can be fought with the help of dryland agriculture. Dryland agriculture involves cash cropping, E.g. Jatropha cultivation can reduce the magnitude of petroleum crisis since liquid produced by it can be added to petroleum products without reducing the efficiency. Dryland agriculture has the potential to produce fodder and cattle feed. Thus, it can help in white revolution. Also, here the pasture lands are more extensive and cattle breeds have greater per-capital yield. Sheep-raising has greater prospect in semi-arid areas.
Dryland Farming Technology To increase agricultural production in dryland areas, the following farming technology is required. Timely preparation and seeding operations, including soil moisture conservation. Improved crop varieties that can withstand stress should be used. Deep tillage, surface cultivation, and stubble mulching are all necessary practises for soil moisture conservation. Combination of rainfall, surface, and ground water. Water harvesting for use during dry periods. A watershed is a natural hydrological unit that can be used to harvest water. Proper watershed management can prevent further ecosystem degradation while also restoring degraded lands. Soil conservation through contour bunding, terracing, land sloping, and land levelling, as well as conservation tillage (zero tillage and minimum tillage). To save water, use drip irrigation. Canal lining to reduce water loss. Agronomic practises such as mixed cropping and crop rotation, which increase crop yield, must be implemented. To maintain soil fertility, integrated nutrient management must be practised, with a special emphasis on the use of bio-fertilizers. To control weeds and pests, respectively, integrated weed management and integrated pest management must be used. For a successful dryland farming system, alley cropping, pasture management, tree farming, silvi-pastoral management systems, and Agro-horticultural systems that are more relevant to dryland situations must be used.
Dryland farming: Government initiatives Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched on 1st July, 2015 with the motto of ‘Har Khet Ko Paani’ for providing end-to end solutions in irrigation supply chain, viz. water sources, distribution network and farm level applications. Sub-Mission on Agroforestry under the framework of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) has been launched during 2016-17 for a period of 4 years (2016-17 to 2019-20). The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), which is one of the eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) seeks to address issues associated with climate change Agriculture Contingency Plan: CRIDA, ICAR has prepared district level Agriculture Contingency Plans in collaboration with state agricultural universities to tackle aberrant monsoon situations leading to drought and floods, extreme events adversely affecting crops, livestock and fisheries. Sub-Mission on Agroforestry under the framework of National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) has been launched during 2016-17 for a period of 4 years (2016-17 to 2019-20). National Agroforestry Policy, 2014 has been formulated to bring coordination, convergence and synergy between various elements of agroforestry that are scattered in various existing Missions, programmes and schemes of the Government.
Government of India has declared 2018 as year of millets to encourage dryland crops like millets. |
