Sustainable Technologies for Rain fed Agriculture in India
Abstract
India'sagrarian economy contributes 21% to the country's GDP and provides employment to 60% of the population. Rainfed agriculture constitutes 67% of the net sown area, contributing 44% of food grains and supporting 40% of the population. To meet the increasing demand for food grains, it is crucial to enhance the productivity of rainfed areas from the current 1 t/ha to 2 t/ha over the next two decades. However, the quality of natural resources in these regions is deteriorating due to overexploitation, and rainfed areas face biophysical and socio-economic constraints affecting crop and livestock productivity.
This paper critically examines economically viable technologies for rainfed agriculture, including soil and rainwater conservation, efficient crops and cropping systems tailored to the growing season, and suitable implements for timely sowing and labor-saving. Sustainable practices such as integrated nutrient and pest management (INM and IPM) are emphasized. Additionally, the paper highlights interventions in dryland technologies to utilize marginal lands through alternative land-use systems like silvopasture, rainfed horticulture, and tree farming, demonstrated on a watershed basis. The integration of livestock with arable farming systems and the incorporation of indigenous knowledge are also discussed. Finally, the paper advocates for the formation of self-help groups, innovative extension tools such as portable rainfall simulators, and focus group discussions to facilitate the adoption of rainfed technologies by farmers. A farming systems approach in rainfed agriculture not only addresses income and employment challenges but also ensures food security.
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Introduction
India'seconomy heavily relies on agriculture, which contributes 21% of GDP and provides employment for 60% of the workforce. Over the past three decades, the country has achieved self-sufficiency and surplus food production. However, feeding the growing population remains a formidable challenge, with projections indicating the need to support 1.3 billion people by 2020, requiring an annual increase of 5-6 million tons of food grains. Despite advancements, issues like poverty and malnutrition continue to hinder national food security, particularly in rural areas where over 70% of the population resides. Rainfed agriculture accounts for 67% of the net sown area, producing 44% of food grains and supporting 40% of the population. Even after realizing the full irrigation potential, 50% of the net sown area will remain rainfed.
Currently, rainfed agriculture constitutes 95% of the area under coarse cereals, 91% under pulses, 80% under oilseeds, 65% under cotton, and 53% under rice. Livestock forms an integral component, with two-thirds of animals thriving in rainfed regions. These areas encompass diverse environments, including semi-arid to sub-humid climates, shallow to deep soils, and varying crop-growing periods of 90-180 days.
Conclusion
The following steps constitute the farming systems mode for research, both on-station and on-farm (Watershed): • PRA and assessment of socio-economic conditions of people. • Identification of ITK (indigenous technical knowledge) • Collection of available technological knowledge on various components of the farming system – arable farming, animal husbandry, water harvesting, management of wastelands and alternate land use systems etc. • Focus group (farmers) interaction to identify appropriate technology for different categories of farmers. • Identification of lead farmers to function as facilitator in technology application and adoption. • Identification of points of synergy among systems components. • Structuring of technological components with maximum synergy. • Phasing of program over the project period.
