Functional classification of Rainfed Arable Lands for their Judicious Planning in Semi-arid Zone of Haryana, India

Abstract

A village-wise flUlctional classification of rainfed sown land of tehsil Hisar of the semi-arid zone of Haryana State, over 20 consecutive summer and winter harvest seasons (summer of 1968 to winter of 1987-88), is presented. Out of the· total sown area in this tehsil, 83% in summer, 86% in winter and 86% in total summer and winter seasons was found suitable for rainfed crop cultivation. However, there were great variations in the degree of their suitability. The rest of the area was not suitable for crop cultivation, but was suited to grazing, animal husbandry and forestry. These areas are mainly concentrated in the south-western part of the tehsil adjoining Thar desert. The areas lying in the transitional zone of threshold index line (i.e., 14% of summer, 12% of winter and 14% of the total summer and winter sown area) showed high possibilities of making such lands suitable for crop cultivation.