Technology for Stabilizing Agriculture Production in Rain Fed Areas - 2 | Agriculture Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Implementation of the mixed and intercropping system

In rainfed regions with annual rainfall ranging from 500 to 700 mm, it is beneficial for farmers to adopt mixed and intercropping practices to maximize their returns. Intercropping cereals with legumes offers several advantages, including the maintenance of soil fertility, reduction of moisture evaporation, effective weed control, and efficient land use. This approach also enhances cereal yields with legumes as supplementary crops. For example, combinations like sorghum with red gram, pearl millet with black gram, maize with soybean, and ragi with red gram (in an 8 : 1 ratio) can be implemented.

In areas receiving over 800 mm of rainfall, sequence cropping becomes a viable option. For instance, in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, farmers engage in sequence cropping practices such as rice-wheat, rice-chickpea, sorghum-chickpea, and green gram-wheat to make the most of the available rainfall.

Integrated approach of nutrient management

Rainfed agriculture faces challenges not only related to water scarcity but also nutrient deficiencies. Therefore, adopting an integrated approach to nutrient management is essential. Intercropping legumes with cereal crops can contribute 20 kg of nitrogen per hectare, and the use of green manure sources like gliricidia, Leucaena, Sesbania, and Daincha can meet up to 50% of the nutrient requirements. Combining organic sources like farmyard manure (FYM), biofertilizers, and biocontrol agents such as Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Trichoderma, and Pseudomonas when incorporated into the soil helps maintain soil health.

To ensure efficient nutrient utilization and prevent nutrient losses, it is advisable to apply the recommended quantity of inorganic fertilizer at the time of sowing, using seed cum fertilizer drills for precise placement. This approach enhances nutrient use efficiency and reduces waste.

Alternate land-use system

Rainfed farming faces production and income instability due to current weather conditions. To ensure a more stable farm income, it is advisable to adopt an alternative land-use system and utilize marginal land for the cultivation of fuelwood, fodder, and fiber. This can be achieved by integrating annual crops with perennial components, effectively making use of off-seasonal rainfall. Various approaches like Agri-silviculture, Silvi-pasture, Agri-horticulture, Alley cropping, etc., can be employed to implement this strategy. Furthermore, this approach allows for the rearing of livestock such as sheep and goats, which can serve as an additional source of income.

Agronomic practices for rainfed farming

Adopting the seed hardening process before planting can significantly improve germination, promote proper crop establishment, and enhance drought resistance. Seed hardening involves soaking the seeds in water for 12 hours, followed by a day of sun-drying, and then subjecting them to seed treatment before sowing.

After sowing, it's important to apply mulch, which serves to reduce evaporation and control weeds. Intercropping legumes with cereals can act as a natural mulching material. Additionally, using a cultivator for shallow ploughing during sowing functions as a dust mulching technique that helps prevent excessive water loss from the soil.

Drought management

Drought can be categorized based on meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological criteria. Meteorological drought occurs when the average seasonal rainfall in a region is less than 75% of the normal levels. Agricultural drought results from an extended dry period that leads to insufficient moisture in the soil's root zone, causing adverse effects on crops. Hydrological drought, on the other hand, involves a prolonged dry period that significantly depletes water sources.

To mitigate the impact of drought, it is advisable to plant alternative crops with different sowing periods that align with delayed planting. Creating soil mulches and minimizing weed populations can reduce evaporation, thereby extending the life of standing crops during drought. Agricultural drought can be partially mitigated through strategies like planting alternative crops, reducing evaporation losses, and implementing improved crop management. Collecting and storing more rainwater both on-site and in tanks can also help in drought mitigation. In times of drought, life-saving irrigation from stored water sources can rescue rainfed crops.

Conclusion

Approximately 60% of India's cultivated land is dedicated to rainfed farming, and increasing production in the country hinges on boosting productivity in these rainfed areas. Achieving this goal requires the implementation of effective drought management techniques, sound agronomic practices, rainwater harvesting, measures to prevent excessive runoff, borewell recharge, appropriate watershed management, the cultivation of climate-resilient crops like millets or nutrient-rich cereals, integrated nutrient management, and integrated farming systems. The proper utilization of these technologies aids in mitigating the challenges associated with rainfed farming.