Introduction

Historically, Indian agriculture has been concentrated in regions with sufficient rainfall. However, with a growing population, agricultural activities expanded to less ideal environments, necessitating the introduction of irrigation to stabilize crop production. Despite these efforts, approximately 103 million hectares out of 143 million hectares of cultivated land in India are rainfed. Rainfed agriculture relies entirely on natural rainfall, while dryland farming typically occurs in regions with more limited rainfall and growing seasons, requiring special management practices for successful crop production.

Rainfed Agriculture

Rainfed agriculture involves growing crops exclusively using rainfall without supplemental irrigation. Based on annual rainfall, it can be classified into three types:

i) Dry Farming:

• • Rainfall: Less than 750 mm per annum.
  • Region: Arid areas.
  • Characteristics:
    • Prolonged dry spells are common.
    • High risk of crop failure.
    • Moisture conservation practices (e.g., mulching, contour plowing) are crucial.

ii) Dryland Farming:

• • Rainfall: Between 750 mm and 1150 mm per annum.
  • Region: Semi-arid areas.
  • Characteristics:
    • Occasional dry spells, but crop failures are less frequent.
    • Soil and moisture conservation practices are necessary.
    • Drainage is needed in heavy/black soils.
    • Suitable for drought-resistant crops (e.g., millets, pulses, oilseeds).

iii) Rainfed Farming:

• • Rainfall: More than 1150 mm per annum.
  • Region: Humid regions.
  • Characteristics:
    • Sufficient moisture throughout the growing season.
    • Rare crop failures.
    • Drainage management is crucial to prevent waterlogging.
    • Suitable for water-loving crops (e.g., rice, sugarcane).

Distinguishing Features of Dryland and Rainfed Farming

Definitions and Concepts

Arid Regions:

• • Derived from Latin “arere” meaning dryness or moisture scarcity.
  • Coined by John Widtsoe in Utah, USA (1863).
  • Defined as crop production without irrigation on lands receiving less than 20 inches (50 cm) of rainfall, extendable to 30 inches (75 cm) with poor distribution.

• Encyclopedia Britannica: Describes dryland farming as maximizing limited water supply by storing rainfall in the soil and adopting cropping methods that optimize moisture usage.
• 4th Five Year Plan (India): Arid: Rainfall less than 375 mm per annum. Rainfed: Annual rainfall between 375 mm to 1125 mm with limited irrigation. Irrigated: Regions with rainfall above 1125 mm per annum.
• Steiner et al. (1988): Introduced the Aridity Index accepted by the UN Conference on Desertification. Aridity Index (P/ETP): Arid: 0.03 to 0.2, Semi-Arid: 0.2 to 0.5
• Soil-Based Classification: Dryland farming relies on rainfall alone without irrigation. Black Soils: Adequate with less than 750 mm rainfall. Red Soils: Adequate up to 850 mm rainfall per annum.
• FAO (1978): Based on Potential Growing Period (PGP): Semi-Arid: Growing period between 75 and 119 days. Arid: Growing period between 1 and 74 days. Classes: Normal: Precipitation > 1/2 of ET . Intermediate: Precipitation = ET. Dry: Precipitation < 1/2 of ET
• ICAR (1970): Utilizes Thornthwaite and Mather’s classification: Soil Moisture Deficit Index = (P−PE) / PE​ × 100, Semi-Arid: Greater than -33.3 to -66.7

Watershed Management in Rainfed Agriculture

Watershed management is crucial in rainfed agriculture for optimizing water usage, minimizing soil erosion, and enhancing productivity. Key components include:

• Soil and Water Conservation: Using contour bunds, check dams, and vegetative barriers.
• Water Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater for supplemental irrigation.
• Crop Management: Selecting drought-resistant and short-duration crop varieties.
• Agroforestry: Integrating trees with crops to improve soil fertility and water retention.
• Community Participation: Involving local communities in planning and maintenance for sustainable development.

Importance

Rainfed agriculture remains a cornerstone of India’s agricultural landscape, significantly contributing to the nation’s food security and economy. Recent data highlights its continued importance and the challenges it faces.

Current Land Use in India

As of the latest available data, India’s geographical area stands at approximately 328.73 million hectares (Mha). The net cultivated area is about 140.71 Mha, with the net irrigated area covering 57.10 Mha, accounting for 44.9% of the net cultivated area. Consequently, rainfed areas constitute approximately 83.61 Mha, representing 59.4% of the net cultivated area.

Significance of Rainfed Agriculture Food Production: Rainfed agriculture contributes around 40% of the total food production in India.

Crop Dependence:

• • Coarse Cereals: Over 90% of coarse cereals are cultivated in rainfed areas.
  • Pulses: Approximately 91% of pulse cultivation relies on rainfed farming.
  • Groundnut: About 86% of groundnut cultivation is in rainfed regions.
  • Rice: Around 58% of rice cultivation depends on rainfall.
  • Cotton: Approximately 67% of cotton is grown in rainfed areas.
  • Wheat: About 25% of wheat cultivation is rain-dependent.

Challenges in Rainfed Agriculture

Rainfed farming is inherently complex and diverse, characterized by several challenges:

• Climate Variability: The erratic nature of monsoons, influenced by climate change, leads to unpredictable rainfall patterns, affecting crop yields.
• Resource Constraints: Limited access to modern inputs and technologies results in lower productivity compared to irrigated areas.
• Soil Degradation: Issues like soil erosion and nutrient depletion are prevalent in rainfed regions, further hindering agricultural output.

Recent Developments

In recent years, efforts have been intensified to enhance the resilience and productivity of rainfed agriculture:

• Climate-Resilient Seeds: The development and promotion of seed varieties that can withstand extreme weather conditions have been prioritized to mitigate the impacts of climate variability.
• Watershed Management: Integrated watershed management practices are being implemented to conserve soil and water resources, thereby improving the sustainability of rainfed farming systems.
• Policy Support: Government initiatives aim to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers in rainfed areas, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving livelihoods.