Rainfed Agriculture

Rainfed agriculture is generally overlooked by development investors, researchers and policy makers due to limited confidence in its ability to increase agricultural production and development. However, research undertaken by a team of leading scientists from global organizations demonstrates its potential in achieving food security, improving livelihoods and most importantly addressing issues of equity and poverty reduction in dryland areas - the hot spots of poverty. On the basis of case studies from varied agricultural and ecological regions in Asia and Africa, chapters discuss the need for adopting new paradigms between rainfed and irrigated agriculture, catchment/micro-watershed management approaches, upgrades in science-based development and more investments in rainfed areas. Yield gaps for major rainfed crops are analysed globally and possible ways and means including technological, social, and institutional options to bridge the yield gaps are discussed in detail. Covering areas such as rainwater harvesting and its efficient use, the rehabilitation of degraded land and assessment methods for social, environmental and economic impacts, this book will be necessary for both academics and policy makers working in water management, agriculture and sustainable development.

This book, which contains 14 chapters, covers all aspects of rainfed agriculture, starting with its potential, current status, rainwater harvesting and supplementary irrigation, to policies, approaches, institutions for upscaling, and impacts of integrated water management programmes in rainfed areas.

While a good grasp of the many separate aspects of agriculture is important, it is equally essential for all those involved in agriculture to understand the functioning of the farming system as a whole and how it can be best managed. It is necessary to re-assess and understand rain-fed farming systems around the world and to find ways to improve the selection, design and operation of such systems for long term productivity, profitability and sustainability. The components of the system must operate together efficiently; yet many of the relationships and interactions are not clearly understood. Appreciation of these matters and how they are affected by external influences or inputs are important for decision making and for achieving desirable outcomes for the farm as a whole. This book analyses common rain-fed farming systems and defines the principles and practices important to their effective functioning and management.

This book discusses various issues related to Rainfed Agriculture, for example: Soil and water conservation Drought management strategies Rain-water harvesting Crops and cropping system for dryland agriculture Conservation agriculture Climate-smart agriculture and watershed management The subject matter is both narrative and critical, explained with illustrations and tables. This book is co-published with NIPA. Taylor and Francis does not sell or distribute its print and electronic editions in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

Rainfed Agriculture Has A Distinct Place In Indian Agriculture, Occupying 68 Per Cent Of The Total Cultivated Area And Supporting 40 Per Cent Of Human And 60 Per Cent Of Livestock Population. Agriculture In Rainfed Areas Continues To Be A Gamble Because Farmers In The Rainfed Region Face Many Uncertainties. In The Light Of Growing Population And Demand To Increase The Food Production Especially In The Developing Countries With Arid And Csemi-Arid Climate, This Book Mainly Focuses On The Land Use Diversification Involving Multi-Disciplinary Approaches For Sustainability In The Rainfed Regions.The Present Book Consists Of Twenty-Three Articles In All By Experts From Various Central & State Government Organisations, Agricultural Universities And Research Organisations Concerned With Rainfed Agriculture. These Articles, Covering Various Aspects Of Land Use Diversification For Sustainable Rainfed Agriculture, Have Been Arranged Into Five Sections: (A) Diversification: Need Of The Hour, (B) Natural Resources Dynamics, (C) Alternate Land Uses, (D) Case Studies, And (E) Capacity Building. Each Of The Articles Is Highly Informative And It Is Hoped That This Book Will Give An Interesting Insight Into The Varied Rainfed Agriculture Related Problems In India. It Highlights The Possible Measures Sustainable Management Of Land And Water Resources, Land Use Diversification, Alternate Land Uses Based On Climate, Soil And Crop Suitability, Etc. That Would Help Increase The Cropland As Well As Crop And Fodder Production In Rainfed Areas. The Present Book Enriched With Selected Case Studies Will Be Particularly Useful For Students, Teachers, Researchers And Scientists Working In The Area Of Rainfed Agriculture And Agricultural Planning For Sustainable Development.

The book “Textbook of Rainfed Agriculture and Watershed Management” has been written to fulfill the requirement of undergraduate students of agriculture faculty considering the syllabus of V Dean’s committee of ICAR. This book attempt to present the available information on dryland/rainfed agriculture and watershed management in a very simple, and lucid language in easily understandable manner. The book contains chapters on an introduction to rainfed agriculture, soil and climate, drought, soil and water conservation techniques, water harvesting, crop management, contingent crop planning for aberrant weather conditions and watershed management. The student community may harness the benefit from this book by understanding the fundamentals of dryland/ rainfed agriculture and watershed management. I hope this book will be very useful for the students, teachers, extension specialists and others interested in rainfed agriculture.

This book provides a comprehensive presentation of the realization of improved rainfed agriculture yield in semi-arid and dry land areas. The incentive of watershed programs is to increase the return on investment with over 20% for 65% of the projects that are currently underperforming. Besides techniques to improve the livelihood of the many small