Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
India is highly vulnerable to droughts, with approximately 68% of the total geographical area falling under drought-prone regions. Dry farming, a technique of cultivating crops in areas with limited rainfall, is crucial for ensuring food security and livelihood in these regions. It’s not merely about surviving with less water, but about maximizing the use of available moisture and minimizing losses. The increasing frequency and intensity of droughts, exacerbated by climate change, underscore the growing significance of adopting and refining dry farming practices across India. This answer will explore the significance of dry farming in these vulnerable areas.
Understanding Dry Farming and Drought-Prone Areas
Dry farming is the cultivation of crops in areas where annual rainfall is less than 750 mm, or where the rainfall is erratic and unreliable. It focuses on conserving moisture, reducing evaporation, and utilizing available water resources efficiently. It differs from rainfed farming, which simply relies on rainfall without specific conservation techniques.
Drought-prone areas in India are characterized by:
- Low and erratic rainfall
- High evaporation rates
- Poor soil fertility
- Frequent crop failures
- Limited irrigation facilities
These areas are predominantly located in the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and parts of Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
Techniques of Dry Farming
Dry farming employs a range of techniques categorized into three main groups:
1. Water Conservation Techniques
- Contour Bunding: Building earthen embankments along the contour lines to arrest runoff and promote infiltration.
- Terracing: Creating step-like fields on slopes to reduce soil erosion and conserve water.
- Water Harvesting: Collecting rainwater in ponds, tanks, and check dams for later use. Examples include johads in Rajasthan and farm ponds in Maharashtra.
- Mulching: Covering the soil surface with organic materials like straw or leaves to reduce evaporation and maintain soil moisture.
2. Moisture Conservation Techniques
- Minimum Tillage: Reducing the frequency of ploughing to preserve soil structure and moisture.
- Summer Ploughing: Deep ploughing during the summer months to expose the soil to sunlight, kill pests, and improve water infiltration.
- Crop Rotation: Alternating crops to improve soil fertility and reduce water demand.
- Strip Cropping: Growing different crops in alternating strips to reduce soil erosion and conserve moisture.
3. Drought-Resistant Crop Varieties
- Developing and promoting the cultivation of crops that can tolerate drought conditions. Examples include millets (sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet), pulses (chickpea, pigeon pea), and oilseeds (groundnut, sesame).
- Genetic modification and breeding programs are increasingly focused on developing drought-resistant varieties of staple crops like wheat and rice.
Significance of Dry Farming
The significance of dry farming in drought-prone areas is multifaceted:
- Food Security: Dry farming ensures a degree of food production even in areas with limited rainfall, contributing to national food security.
- Livelihood Security: It provides livelihood opportunities for millions of farmers and agricultural laborers in drought-prone regions.
- Economic Stability: By reducing crop failures, dry farming stabilizes farm incomes and contributes to rural economic development.
- Environmental Sustainability: Techniques like contour bunding and terracing help prevent soil erosion and conserve natural resources.
- Reduced Migration: Improved agricultural productivity through dry farming can reduce distress migration from rural areas to urban centers.
Government Initiatives: The Government of India has launched several schemes to promote dry farming, including:
- National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA): Focuses on promoting integrated farming systems and water use efficiency.
- Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Aims to provide irrigation facilities to every farm in the country, including drought-prone areas.
- Watershed Development Fund: Supports watershed development projects for rainwater harvesting and soil conservation.
| Scheme | Objective | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| NMSA | Sustainable agriculture practices | Water use efficiency, integrated farming |
| PMKSY | Irrigation to every farm | Har Khet ko Pani (water to every field) |
Conclusion
Dry farming is not merely a set of agricultural techniques but a vital strategy for building resilience in drought-prone areas of India. Its significance extends beyond food production to encompass livelihood security, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. Continued investment in research and development of drought-resistant crop varieties, coupled with effective implementation of government schemes and widespread farmer awareness, are crucial for maximizing the benefits of dry farming and mitigating the impacts of climate change on India’s agricultural sector. A holistic approach integrating traditional knowledge with modern technologies is essential for long-term success.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.