Dryland Agriculture

Dryland Agriculture

Indian agriculture is predominantly rainfed, encompassing both dry farming and dryland agriculture. Out of the 143 million hectares of total cultivated area in the country, 101 million hectares (nearly 70%) are rainfed. In dryland areas, variations in the amount and distribution of rainfall significantly influence crop production as well as the socio-economic conditions of farmers. These areas contribute approximately 42% of the total food grain production in the country. Most coarse grains like sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, and other millets are cultivated exclusively in drylands.
To address the challenges of dryland farming, significant attention has been given to its development. Research projects at Manjari, Solapur, Bijapur, Raichur, and Rohtak have focused on improving crop yields. An All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture was launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in 1970, in collaboration with the Government of Canada. Subsequently, the Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) was established in Hyderabad.

Characteristics of Dryland Agriculture

Dryland areas are characterized by the following features:

  1. Uncertain, ill-distributed, and limited annual rainfall
  2. Occurrence of extensive climatic hazards like droughts and floods
  3. Undulating soil surface
  4. Extensive and large holdings
  5. Prevalence of extensive agriculture, e.g., monocropping
  6. Relatively large field sizes
  7. Uniformity in crop types grown by farmers in a particular region
  8. Very low crop yield
  9. Poor economic conditions of farmers

Definitions

Dryland Agriculture

Profitable production of crops without irrigation on arid and semi-arid lands receiving less than 750 mm of annual rainfall.

Rainfed Agriculture

Profitable production of crops without irrigation on lands in humid and subhumid regions receiving more than 750 mm of annual rainfall.

Improved Dryland Technologies

  • Crop varieties for dryland areas should be of short duration, drought-resistant, and high-yielding, ensuring they can be harvested within the rainfall periods and have sufficient residual moisture in the soil profile for post-monsoon cropping.
  • Variation in weather conditions, especially rainfall, affects dryland agriculture. Delayed onset of the monsoon, long gaps in rainfall, and early cessation of rains can impact yields. Farmers should adapt their cropping schedules to minimize crop failure and achieve some production.
  • Traditional crops or varieties that are inefficient in utilizing soil moisture and are less responsive to production inputs should be substituted by more efficient and high-yielding crops.
  • Increasing cropping intensity through intercropping and multiple cropping practices can help better utilize available resources. The cropping intensity will depend on the growing season length, which is influenced by rainfall patterns and soil moisture retention.
  • In dryland areas, the availability of nutrients is limited due to low soil moisture. Fertilizer application should be done in furrows below the seed to enhance efficiency. Using a combination of organic and inorganic fertilizers improves soil moisture retention and drought tolerance.
  • Efficient rainwater management can significantly increase agricultural production in dryland areas. Adding compost, farmyard manure, and legumes to the soil increases its organic matter content and water-holding capacity. Excess runoff water can be harvested in dugout ponds and recycled for crop production during periods of drought or the winter season.
  • Watershed management optimizes the use of land, water, and vegetation, helping to prevent droughts and floods, reduce soil erosion, improve water availability, and increase agricultural and fodder production sustainably.
  • Not all drylands are suitable for crop production, and alternative land uses should be explored. Drylands can be used for range or pasture management, tree farming, ley farming, dryland horticulture, and agroforestry systems like alley cropping. These systems generate off-season employment, minimize risk, utilize off-season rains, prevent soil degradation, and restore ecological balance.