(GIST OF KURUKSHETRA) Dryland Farming

(July-2023)

Dryland Farming

Introduction:

Dryland farming is a challenging practice that requires understanding local climate and soil conditions, selecting suitable crops, and utilizing appropriate technologies.

Dryland Farming:

Differentiating Dry Farming, Dryland Farming, and Rainfed Farming:

Dry farming: Practiced in areas with an annual rainfall of less than 750 mm and a crop growing season under 200 days.
Dryland farming: Cultivation in regions with rainfall ranging from 750 mm to 1150 mm, including semi-arid areas.
Rainfed farming: Crop cultivation without irrigation in areas receiving rainfall around 1150 mm, mainly in humid and sub-humid regions.

Major Crops in Dryland Agriculture

Millets, oilseeds, pulses, maize, cereals, and cotton are important crops.
Millets are drought-resistant, climate-resilient, and eco-friendly crops.
Oilseeds and pulses play a significant role in rainfed regions, contributing to vegetable oil production and soil health.

Supporting Schemes: Per Drop More Crop, Soil Health Card, and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana contribute to dryland agriculture improvement.

Importance of Dryland Farming:

Diverse Agro-climatic Zones: India’s unique geographical location results in varied climatic conditions and cropping patterns across the country.
Addressing Climate Change: Dryland farming helps address climate change and ensures sustainable food security.

Challenges Associated with Dryland Farming

Rainfall Dependency: Dryland farming relies on natural rainfall, making it vulnerable to erratic and uncertain rainfall patterns.
Soil and Nutrient Constraints: Dryland areas often have poor or degraded soils with low water-holding capacities and nutrient deficiencies.
Vulnerability to Drought: Dryland areas are susceptible to drought and declining groundwater levels.
Small Land Holdings: Dryland farming is challenging due to fragmented and small land holdings.

Strategies for Sustainable Dryland Farming:

Integrated Farming: Dryland farmers can increase productivity by adopting integrated farming models with multiple crops.
Crop Selection: Maximizing productivity in dryland conditions requires selecting suitable crops adapted to the environment.
Technology Adoption: Utilizing drip irrigation, water harvesting, and precision farming improves water-use efficiency and yields.
Soil Conservation: Mitigate erosion and retain soil moisture through practices like contour ploughing, terracing, and mulching.
Capacity Building: Empower farmers through training and knowledge transfer on dryland farming techniques.
Market Support: Strengthen market infrastructure and value chains to enhance profitability and market access.
Research and Development: Continued efforts are needed to develop crop varieties and technologies for dryland farming.

Way Forward:

CRIDA (Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture) has developed ‘The Vision 2050’.
Emphasis on location-specific research, rainwater harvesting, and soil health management.
Integrated farming modules for risk-proofing small and marginal farmers.
Exploiting cutting-edge technologies like remote sensing and GIS for resource characterization.
Development of nanotechnology-based products for dryland agriculture.
Implementing energy efficiency, precision agriculture, and renewable energy sources in dryland regions.

Conclusion:

Despite its challenges, dryland farming has enormous potential for sustainable agriculture in India. By understanding local conditions, adopting appropriate practices and providing the necessary support, dryland farmers can overcome limitations and achieve abundant crop production, contributing to food security and rural development.