[Kurukshetra July 2023 Summary] Dryland Farming: Explained, pointwise

Introduction

India’s unique geographical location results in diverse climatic conditions, leading to distinct farming systems and cropping patterns in various agro-climatic zones across the country. One of these practices is dryland farming, which has gained importance due to global warming and climate change. Dryland farming has become a prominent approach to ensure sustainable food security, especially with a growing population and mounting pressure on natural resources.  

What are the characteristics and challenges of dryland farming in India? 

Dryland farming involves cultivating crops without or with very limited irrigation, relying primarily on natural rainfall. 

 Rainfall: These regions experience low, erratic and unevenly distributed rainfall, ranging from 375 mm to 1125 mm, making them less productive and economically fragile. 

The distribution of rainfall during the crop period is often uneven. Crops may receive excessive rain when it is not needed and insufficient rain when they require it the most.  

Late arrival of the monsoon delays crop sowing, resulting in poor yields. In contrast, if monsoon rains recede early, the crops face drought-like conditions during critical growth stages, leading to reduced crop yields. 

Soils: Dryland areas typically have poor and degraded soils with low water retention capabilities and various nutrient deficiencies such as nitrogen and phosphorus deficiencies. 

The weak soil structure and depleting groundwater tables make these areas more susceptible to drought and drought-like conditions.  

Temperature: Huge variations in temperature affect crop growth and yields and deteriorate quality of produce in most cases. 

Landholdings: Landholdings are generally small (less than two hectares), fragmented, and scattered, which makes farming less remunerative and difficult. 

What is the difference between dry farming, dryland farming and rainfed farming?  

Dry farming: Dry farming is practiced in areas where the annual rainfall is less than 750 mm and the crop growing season is less than 200 days. It is generally practiced in arid regions of the country. 

Dryland farming: Cultivation receiving rainfall in the range of 750 mm to 1150 mm is known as `dryland farming’. Crops in semi-arid regions of the country are included under this category. 

Rainfed farming: Rainfed farming is practiced without irrigation in areas receiving rainfall in the range of around 1150 mm. Most of its cultivation area fails in the humid and sub-humid regions of the country. 

In these regions, irrigation facilities are absent, and even protective or life-saving irrigation is not feasible.  

What is the contribution of dryland Farming? 

Major dry farming crops include millets, oilseeds, pulses, maize, cereals, and cotton. 

Almost 80 per cent of Sorghum (Jowar) and Maize, 90 per cent of Pearl millet (Bajra), 75 per cent of oilseeds, and approximately 95 per cent of pulses are obtained from dryland agriculture. 

Contributions to wheat and rice production are also important, because 33 per cent of wheat and 66 per cent of rice are still rainfed. 

Drylands also contribute more than 70 per cent cotton to textile industries. 

Despite struggling with issues of scanty resources, environmental stress, and low productivity, dryland agriculture is producing nearly 44 per cent of the total food grains in the country. 

What are the areas under dryland farming? 

Out of the 141 million hectares of estimated net sown area in the country, close to 80 million hectares is under dryland farming. As per estimates, nearly 40 per cent of the net sown area in India will remain rainfed even after realizing the full potential of irrigation. 

Dryland agriculture area in India includes the following: 

1. Northwestern Rajasthan 
2. The plateau region of central India 
3. The alluvial plains of Ganga¬Yamuna river basin 
4. The central highlands of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh 
5. The rain shadow regions of Western Ghats in Maharashtra 
6. The Deccan Plateau of Andhra Pradesh 
7. The Tamil Nadu highlands 

A recent report of the National Rainfed Area Authority (2020) identified and categorised 670 districts on an all-India basis as very high rainfed, high rainfed, medium rainfed and low rainfed. 

It was found that 11 states have a high share of rainfed areas. These states are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. 

What are the strategies for development of dryland farming? 

Selecting an appropriate cropping system tailored to the area is a crucial strategy, which becomes more profitable with effective management of sowing time. 

Employing proper tillage, fertilizer management, weed control, and implementing plant protection measures also play essential roles in boosting productivity.  

The use of drought-tolerant crop varieties is another important technique, as these varieties can endure prolonged periods of drought more effectively than other types. 

Soil condition can be Improved planting cover crops (planted to cover the soil, not for harvesting). They can reduce erosion, improve soil health, enhance water availability, and help control pests and diseases. Cover crops also increase resilience to drought conditions and erratic rainfall. 

Mulching is a common dryland technique to conserve moisture in the soil by preventing evaporation. 

What are the government initiatives for dryland farming? 

In the 1950s, the Government realised the significance of dryland agriculture and decided to improve stability and productivity of drylands through research and development (R&D) efforts. Various R&D centres at different dryland locations started work for developing appropriate soil and water conservation practices. 

In 1970, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) initiated the All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) in Hyderabad, establishing 23 collaborating centers across the nation. It marked the start of location specific adaptive research in dryland agriculture.   

In 1985, ICAR established Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) at Hyderabad to further strengthen basic and adaptive research. CRIDA has successfully developed a large number of technologies in rainwater management, watershed development, soil health management, cropping systems, etc. 

The ICAR launched a flagship network project called the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), primarily to develop and promote climate-resilient technologies in agriculture with a special focus on rainfed regions. 

The NICRA project has developed several climate-resilient technologies which include climate resilient varieties of different crops, resilient intercropping systems, crop diversification with alternate crops, agro-forestry systems, in-situ moisture conservation, farm pond, integrated framing systems, etc. 

The Government is also implementing a scheme on rainfed area development under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture. The scheme focuses on integrated farming systems for enhancing productivity and minimising risks associated with climatic variability.  

Schemes such as Per Drop More Crop, Soil Health Card and Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana are also contributing to the improvement of dryland agriculture. 

What should be the future course of action? 

There is a vast scope to increase the productivity of dryland agriculture from the current average of 1.2 tonnes per hectare to 2.0 tonnes per hectare. This potential can be achieved by inclusion of new technologies, diversification of crops, adoption of drought-tolerant varieties, and implementation of moisture retention techniques. 

CRIDA has developed ‘The Vision 2050’, which outlines the future scenario. As per the vision, cutting edge technologies such as remote sensing and GIS applications should be exploited for natural resource characterisation and land-use planning. 

Nanotechnology based products and processes should also be developed for application in dryland agriculture. 

Location-specific research and its efficient delivery should be guiding principles to bring sustainability to the dryland agriculture system. The primary focus may be laid on rainwater harvesting and soil health management.  

Integrated farming modules for different production environments must be attempted on a priority basis for the risk-proofing of small and marginal farmers. 

Small farm mechanisation needs early attention and addressal due to an acute shortage of labour for agricultural operations.  

To enhance productivity and profitability in dryland areas, the promotion of solar power and other renewable energy sources, along with the adoption of precision agriculture, is essential. 

Conclusion 

Despite numerous constraints, dryland farming can be successful by considering local climate and soil conditions, selecting appropriate crops, and utilizing suitable technologies. By adopting an integrated farming model, dryland farmers have the potential to cultivate multiple crops within a single season, incorporating horticultural or livestock elements for added benefits.