Course Content
Crop Production (Unit 6)
0/29
ASRB NET / SRF / Ph.D. Agronomy
Concept of Dryland Farming
  • Definition: Dryland farming refers to crop production in areas with low and uncertain rainfall (less than 750 mm annually), without irrigation facilities, relying solely on natural rainfall.
  • Core Philosophy: Not just to grow crops, but to conserve and maximize efficient use of every drop of moisture. → A risk management system for coping with drought and rainfall variability.

 

Key Techniques & Strategies in Dryland Farming

  • Moisture Conservation
    • Contour farming: Plowing across slopes to slow runoff.
    • Terracing: Steps on slopes to reduce erosion.
    • Mulching: Covering soil with residues to reduce evaporation.
    • Fallowing: Leaving land unplanted to store soil moisture.
  • Soil Management
    • Tillage: Dust mulch to break capillaries and reduce evaporation.
    • Organic matter: Compost/manure to improve water-holding capacity.
  • Crop Selection; Drought-tolerant & early-maturing crops: Sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, barley, chickpea, pigeon pea.
  • Water Harvesting; Collecting runoff from catchments and diverting to cropped areas.

 

 

Comparison of Dry Farming, Dryland Farming & Rainfed Farming

Feature

Dry Farming (<750 mm)

Dryland Farming (750–1150 mm)

Rainfed Farming (>1150 mm)

Rainfall Regime

Arid & Semi-Arid (<750 mm)

Dry Sub-Humid to Semi-Arid (750–1150 mm)

Humid & Per-Humid (>1150 mm)

Length of Growing Period (LGP)

<120 days

120–180 days

>180 days

Core Challenge

Severe moisture stress, frequent droughts

Uncertain rainfall, mid-season dry spells

Excess moisture, flooding, erosion

Main Objective

Crop survival, water conservation

Stability of yield, drought management

Drainage, soil conservation, high yield

Risk Level

Very High (crop failures common)

Moderate (some stability possible)

Low (except flood/erosion risk)

Soil Type (Typical)

Shallow, low fertility, sandy/loamy

Medium black soils, red soils

Deep alluvials, lateritic soils

Management Practices

Mulching, contour bunds, hardy crops

Intercropping, moisture conservation, soil fertility improvement

Drainage, bunding, erosion control

Example Crops

Pearl millet, sorghum, barley, pulses (chickpea, pigeon pea), sesame

Maize, soybean, cotton, groundnut, sunflower, sorghum (better rainfall)

Rice, sugarcane, jute, tea, coffee, rubber, coconut

Cropping System

Mixed cropping, low-input subsistence farming

Intercropping, double cropping possible

Mono-cropping (rice) & plantation-based systems

 

 Importance in India

  • Land Area:
    • ~55% of India’s net sown area is rainfed (~85 M ha).
    • Dryland farming covers the majority of this.
    • True dry farming (<500 mm): ~6% (Rajasthan, Gujarat).
  • Contribution to Food Basket:
    • ~45% of total food grain production.
    • ~70% of pulses.
    • ~90% of coarse cereals (millets).
    • ~80% of oilseeds (groundnut, sunflower).
  • Livelihood Support:
    • Supports nearly 60% of cattle population and large numbers of goats, sheep, and other livestock.

 

Key Facts for Exams

  • India → largest rainfed agricultural area in the world (~85 M ha).
  • 75% pulses, 90% coarse cereals, 80% oilseeds grown in rainfed areas.
  • Dryland farming → mostly in Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT).
  • Institutes:
    • ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad – Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture.
    • AICRPDA – All India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture.

 

Research & Institutional Support in India

  • ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad: Nodal institute for dryland research.
  • AICRPDA: Coordinates location-specific technologies.
  • ICRISAT, Hyderabad: International institute focused on Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT).
  • Watershed Development Programmes: NWDPRA, DPAP, IWMP (integrated watershed management).

 

Previous Year ASRB NET / JRF Exam Facts

  • % of India’s net sown area under rainfed farming = ~55%.
  • Contribution of rainfed areas to pulses = ~75%.
  • Contribution to coarse cereals = ~90%.
  • Contribution to oilseeds = ~80%.
  • ICAR institute for dryland farming = CRIDA (Hyderabad).
  • Key strategy in dryland farming = moisture conservation.

 

error: Content is protected !!