DRY FARMING IN INDIA

The spread in the regions where the Average annual rainfall is less than 75 cm.
rainfall is scanty and uncertain, where hot and dry conditions prevail.
It is not only that the average annual rainfall is low, the variability of rainfall in these areas varies between 25 to 60 per cent.
agriculture belongs to fragile, high risking and low productive agricultural ecosystem.
The areas in which more than 75 cm of average annual rainfall is recorded are known as the areas of rain-fed agriculture.
In India dry-lands cover about 32 million hectares or about 25 per cent of the total arable land.
The dry farming areas cover the greater parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Moreover, there are small tracts of Dry Land Farming in Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, harkhand, Orissa, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
These areas having scanty rainfall and high variability of rainfall are adversely affected by erratic Precipitation, frequent droughts, high temperature, and high wind velocity resulting in Soil erosion.

Significant Features of Dry Farming

Moisture conservation is basic to dry farming. In order to achieve this objective, the field is ploughed repeatedly, especially during the rainy season.
Sowing of crops in alternate years or fallowing of land after each harvesting of crop. The fallowing of agricultural land helps in the recuperation of Soil fertility.
Pulverisation of the soil before sowing.
Regular hoeing and weeding of the crop. Hoeing is generally done before sun-rise so that the night dew may be mixed into the soil to provide moisture to the crops.
Covering of the land with straw to prevent Evaporation of the soil moisture and to control soil erosion.
Livestock keeping and dairying are also important allied agricultural activities in the dry farming regions.

Crops

The main crops grown in the dry farming areas are coarse, grains (maize, Millets, bajra), pulses, groundnut, oilseeds and fodder.
Though 75 per cent of the total Population of dry-farming regions are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture, their per capita income, and standard of living are significantly low.

Main Problems of Dry Farming

The main problems of dry farming agriculture are as under:

Scarcity of precipitation, erratic occurrence of rains leading to famines, droughts, and floods.
The soils, being sandy, lack in humus and organic nutrients.
The dry farming areas are highly vulnerable to soil erosion.
These are low yields per unit area.
In the absence of moisture and Irrigation, the use of High Yielding Varieties and new technology is not possible.
Most of the farmers in the dry farming regions being poor are not able to apply the new costly inputs.
These areas are not having the basic irrigation and other infrastructural facilities, like roads, Marketing and storage

Strategy for Development

As stated earlier, agriculture is a highly vulnerable occupation in the scanty rainfall recording areas in which dry farming is practiced.
In dry farming areas, water harvesting should be done. The government and other non-government agencies should provide the necessary guidance to the people.
Seeds of Food Crops which are drought resistant should be provided to the farmers at a subsidized rate.
Efforts should be made to check soil erosion by adopting soil conservation practices.
The farmers should space their crops at a wide gap and there should be regular weeding and hoeing.
Seeds of the quick and short duration maturing crops should be developed.
Cultivation of crops requiring more moisture should be done in the low lying areas, especially in the lower parts of the catchment.
Cotton should be grown only in the areas where rainfall is more dependable or sprinkle irrigation is available.
Soil fertility should be enhanced by applying cow dung and compost manures.
Repeated tilling of the field is required during the rainy season.
Research should be promoted in the dry land farming.

Dry farming is a type of agriculture that uses little or no irrigation. It is practiced in areas where rainfall is low or unreliable. Dry farming techniques include:

Conservation Tillage: This involves leaving crop residues on the soil surface to protect it from erosion and conserve moisture.
Mulching: This involves applying a layer of organic material, such as straw or compost, to the soil surface to protect it from erosion and conserve moisture.
Drip Irrigation: This is a type of irrigation that delivers water directly to the roots of Plants, using a Network of small pipes. Drip irrigation is more efficient than traditional irrigation methods, such as flood irrigation, because it minimizes water loss due to evaporation and runoff.
Crop Rotation: This involves planting different crops in the same field each year. This helps to prevent the build-up of pests and diseases, and it also helps to improve soil fertility.

Dry farming is a sustainable agricultural practice that can help to reduce the use of water and other Resources. It is also a Climate-smart practice that can help to mitigate the effects of Climate Change.

In India, dry farming is practiced in about 40% of the country’s cultivated area. The main crops grown under dry farming conditions are Cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and millets.

Dry farming is a challenging practice, but it can be very rewarding. With careful planning and management, dry farmers can produce high yields of crops even in areas with low rainfall.

The future of dry farming in India is bright. With the increasing adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, dry farming is likely to become even more important in the years to come.

Here are some of the challenges and opportunities of dry farming:

Challenges:

Low rainfall: Dry farming is practiced in areas with low rainfall. This means that farmers have to be very careful with their water use.
Erosion: Dry farming can lead to soil erosion if not done properly. This is because the soil is not protected by a layer of water.
Pests and diseases: Dry farming can make crops more susceptible to pests and diseases. This is because the crops are not as healthy as they would be if they were irrigated.

Opportunities:

Reduced water use: Dry farming can help to reduce the use of water. This is important in areas where water is scarce.
Increased yields: Dry farming can help to increase crop yields. This is because the crops are not competing with Weeds for water.
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Dry farming is a climate-smart agricultural practice. This means that it can help to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The future of dry farming in India is bright. With the increasing adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, dry farming is likely to become even more important in the years to come.

What is dry farming?

Dry farming is a type of agriculture that uses little or no irrigation. It is practiced in areas where rainfall is low or unreliable. Dry farming techniques include planting drought-tolerant crops, using cover crops, and conserving soil moisture.

What are the benefits of dry farming?

Dry farming can be a sustainable way to produce food in areas with low rainfall. It can also help to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.

What are the challenges of dry farming?

Dry farming can be a risky proposition, as crop yields can vary greatly from year to year. It is also important to choose the right crops for dry farming, as some crops are more tolerant of drought than others.

What are some examples of dry Farming practices?

Some examples of dry farming practices include:

Planting drought-tolerant crops: Crops that are well-suited to dry farming include wheat, barley, sorghum, and millet.
Using cover crops: Cover crops are planted between Cash Crops to help prevent soil erosion and improve water retention.
Conserving soil moisture: Soil moisture can be conserved by using mulches, drip irrigation, and other techniques.

What are the effects of climate change on dry farming?

Climate change is expected to have a significant impact on dry farming. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns become more erratic, dry farming will become more challenging. However, there are a number of adaptation strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change on dry farming.

What are the future prospects for dry farming?

The future of dry farming is uncertain. Climate change is expected to make dry farming more challenging, but there are a number of adaptation strategies that can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change. The future of dry farming will also depend on the development of new drought-tolerant crops and irrigation technologies.

Which of the following is not a type of dry farming?
(A) Dryland farming
(B) Rainfed farming
(C) Irrigated farming
(D) Subsistence farming
Which of the following is the most common type of dry farming in India?
(A) Dryland farming
(B) Rainfed farming
(C) Irrigated farming
(D) Subsistence farming
Which of the following is the main challenge of dry farming?
(A) Lack of water
(B) Low soil fertility
(C) High temperatures
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a common practice in dry farming?
(A) Crop rotation
(B) Mulching
(C) Deep plowing
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a benefit of dry farming?
(A) It is less expensive than irrigated farming.
(B) It is more sustainable than irrigated farming.
(C) It can be used in areas where irrigation is not possible.
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a disadvantage of dry farming?
(A) It is more labor-intensive than irrigated farming.
(B) It is more susceptible to drought and pests.
(C) It yields lower crop yields than irrigated farming.
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a country that is known for its dry farming practices?
(A) India
(B) China
(C) Australia
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a type of crop that is commonly grown in dry farming areas?
(A) Wheat
(B) Rice
(C) Corn
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a type of animal that is commonly raised in dry farming areas?
(A) Sheep
(B) Goats
(C) Cattle
(D) All of the above
Which of the following is a type of tree that is commonly grown in dry farming areas?
(A) Olive
(B) Fig
(C) Date palm
(D) All of the above