Introduction to Rainfed Agriculture

Definition and Importance:

• • Rainfed agriculture is the practice of growing crops solely reliant on natural rainfall without any supplementary irrigation.
  • It constitutes about 60% of the total cultivated area in India, contributing nearly 40% of the country’s total food grain production.
  • It supports the livelihoods of a vast rural population, particularly in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid regions.
  • Major crops include millets (sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet), pulses (gram, pigeon pea), oilseeds (groundnut, mustard), cotton, and coarse cereals.

Geographical Distribution:

• • Predominantly practiced in regions with erratic and low rainfall, such as:
    • Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh)
    • Central India (Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh)
    • Western Rajasthan (Thar Desert region)
    • Eastern Ghats (Odisha and Eastern Andhra Pradesh)
  • Major states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Uttar Pradesh.

Historical Background of Rainfed Agriculture in India

2.1. Ancient Period (Prehistoric to Indus Valley Civilization)

• Prehistoric Agriculture:
  • Early humans practiced shifting cultivation and hunting-gathering, relying solely on seasonal monsoon rains.
  • Rainfed cultivation of millets, barley, and pulses was common.
• Indus Valley Civilization (2600–1900 BCE):
  • Evidence of organized agriculture with a mix of rainfed and irrigated crops.
  • Crops like wheat, barley, pulses, cotton, and sesame were cultivated.
  • Early water harvesting systems, including reservoirs and well-developed drainage systems, were established to manage seasonal rainfall.
  • Use of crop rotation and mixed cropping to maintain soil fertility and minimize risks from erratic rainfall.

2.2. Vedic and Post-Vedic Periods (1500 BCE – 600 BCE)

• Agricultural Practices:
  • Rainfed agriculture continued as the primary mode of farming, with crops like barley, wheat, rice, millets, and pulses.
  • Seasonal monsoons determined the sowing and harvesting periods.
  • The Rigveda and Atharvaveda mention agricultural tools like ploughs (Langala) and sickles, indicating well-developed farming practices.
• Water Management and Conservation:
  • Emergence of embankments (Varahbandhas) and tanks for rainwater harvesting.
  • Terracing and contour bunding techniques were used in hilly areas to conserve soil and moisture.

2.3. Ancient Dynasties and Kingdoms (600 BCE – 1200 CE)

• Maurya and Gupta Periods:
  • Encouragement of agriculture through state policies.
  • Promotion of rainfed crops like millets, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton.
  • Construction of reservoirs, tanks, and canals to supplement rainfed farming.
• Chola and Chalukya Dynasties:
  • Extensive use of Eris (tanks) in Tamil Nadu and Kere (tanks) in Karnataka for rainwater storage.
  • Community-managed irrigation systems ensured equitable water distribution.

2.4. Medieval Period (1200 – 1757 CE)

• Sultanate and Mughal Periods:
  • Expansion of agricultural lands into rainfed areas.
  • Introduction of new crops like maize, tobacco, and potatoes.
  • Johads (water storage ponds) and Baolis (stepwells) were constructed for water conservation.
  • Terracing and contour bunding were widely used in hilly regions.
• Agricultural Taxation:
  • Introduction of the Zabti system under Akbar, where land revenue was collected based on average crop production, including rainfed crops.
  • Rainfed farmers were often burdened with high taxes, leading to agrarian distress during droughts.

3. Colonial Period (1757 – 1947 CE)

• Shift in Agricultural Focus: Emphasis on commercial crops (cotton, indigo, opium) for export to Britain. Traditional food crops grown in rainfed areas were neglected.
• Introduction of Canal Irrigation: Construction of large-scale canal systems, particularly in North India (Punjab, Uttar Pradesh). Rainfed regions were marginalized, leading to regional disparities in agricultural productivity.
• Impact on Traditional Water Management Systems: Neglect and decline of traditional rainwater harvesting structures like Johads, Eris, and Baolis. Increased vulnerability to droughts and famines in rainfed areas.
• Famines and Agrarian Distress: Recurring droughts and famines, notably the Great Famine of 1876-78 and Bengal Famine of 1943, affected rainfed agriculture severely. Rainfed farmers suffered due to crop failures, high taxation, and lack of state support.

4. Post-Independence Era and Green Revolution Impact

• Initial Development Strategies (1950s-60s): Focus on achieving food security through irrigation-intensive agriculture. Rainfed areas were neglected, leading to stagnant productivity.
• Green Revolution (1960s-70s):
  • Introduction of High Yielding Varieties (HYVs), chemical fertilizers, and pesticides.
  • Success confined to irrigated regions (Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh).
  • Rainfed regions continued to face low productivity and high vulnerability to droughts.
• Recognition of Rainfed Agriculture’s Importance: Realization of rainfed agriculture’s role in food security and rural livelihoods. Shift in policy focus towards developing rainfed areas during the Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969-74).

5. Development of Dryland Agriculture Research

• All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) – 1970:
  • Launched by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to enhance productivity in rainfed regions.
  • Emphasis on drought-resistant crop varieties, soil and water conservation, and moisture management.
  • Headquartered at Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad.
• Objectives of AICRPDA:
  • Enhance productivity and stability of rainfed crops.
  • Develop sustainable farming systems for rainfed regions.
  • Minimize risks from droughts and climatic uncertainties.

6. Contemporary Challenges and Future Prospects

• Challenges:
  • Erratic and unpredictable rainfall patterns due to climate change.
  • Land degradation, soil erosion, and declining soil fertility.
  • Low adoption of advanced agricultural technologies by rainfed farmers.
• Future Prospects and Policy Interventions:
  • Promotion of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) to enhance resilience.
  • Adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties and conservation agriculture practices.
  • Strengthening watershed management and rainwater harvesting infrastructure.
  • Enhanced support for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) for better market linkages.

Institutes Related to Rainfed Agriculture in India

1. Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA)

• Location: Hyderabad, Telangana
• Established: 1985
• Governing Body: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Objective: To enhance the productivity and sustainability of rainfed agriculture through research on dryland farming systems, soil and water conservation, and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Key Areas of Research: Drought management, rainwater harvesting, conservation agriculture, and agro-forestry systems. Development of climate-smart agriculture practices and weather-based agro-advisory services.
• Notable Programs: National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) – Focuses on climate risk management in rainfed areas. AICRPDA (All India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture) – Coordinates research on dryland farming systems.
• Website: CRIDA, Hyderabad

2. Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC)

• Location: Dehradun, Uttarakhand
• Established: 1954 (formerly known as Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute)
• Governing Body: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Objective: To conduct research on soil conservation, water management, and rainwater harvesting to support sustainable rainfed agriculture.
• Key Areas of Research: Watershed management, erosion control, land degradation, and soil fertility management.
• Regional Research Centers: Research centers in Agra (Uttar Pradesh), Bellary (Karnataka), Chandigarh, Koraput (Odisha), and Vasad (Gujarat).
• Website: IISWC, Dehradun

3. Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI)

• Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
• Established: 1959
• Governing Body: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Objective: To address the challenges of agriculture in arid regions through research on drought resistance, water management, and desertification control.
• Key Areas of Research: Arid land farming systems, rainwater harvesting, silvipastoral systems, and climate-resilient agriculture.
• Regional Research Stations: Bhuj (Gujarat), Pali (Rajasthan), Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), and Leh (Ladakh).
• Website: CAZRI, Jodhpur

4. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)

• Location: Patancheru, Hyderabad, Telangana
• Established: 1972
• Governing Body: CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research)
• Objective: To conduct agricultural research for development in semi-arid tropics, focusing on food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable agriculture.
• Key Areas of Research: Drought-tolerant crops (millets, sorghum, chickpea, pigeon pea, and groundnut), watershed management, and agro-ecosystem resilience.
• International Collaboration: Works with national agricultural research systems, NGOs, and international organizations.
• Website: ICRISAT

5. Watershed Development Programmes in India

• Institutions Involved:
  • National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA): Provides policy support and technical guidance for rainfed agriculture and watershed development.
  • Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP): Under the Ministry of Rural Development, focusing on soil and water conservation in rainfed areas.
  • National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA): Implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, promoting sustainable rainfed agriculture.
• Objectives: To enhance water availability, soil fertility, and agricultural productivity in rainfed regions. To promote community-based natural resource management and livelihood security.
• Website: NRAA

6. Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)

• Location: New Delhi
• Established: 1905
• Governing Body: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
• Objective: To conduct advanced agricultural research and training, including on dryland farming systems and rainfed crop management.
• Key Areas of Research: Drought-resistant crop varieties, integrated nutrient management, and climate adaptation strategies.
• Website: IARI, New Delhi

7. Other Relevant Institutes

• Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad: Focuses on drought-resistant millet crops suitable for rainfed agriculture.
• National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad: Provides training and extension services for rainfed and dryland farming.
• Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), Karnal: Works on soil and water management for rainfed and salt-affected areas.