Increasing crop productivity in dryland/rainfed areas for achieving the sustainability goal of zero hunger

Abstract

 Out of 143 million hectares (mha) of cultivated area in India, only 33% falls under irrigated, leaving the remaining 67% as rainfed. Drylands are characterized by intense moisture deficit, high evaporation rate, exceptionally high day temperature during summer, low humidity and high run-off and soil erosion. As water is the indispensable factor in crop production so inadequacy and uncertainty of rainfall often causes partial or complete failure of the crops leading to period of scarcities and famines. Advancement and adoption of moisture conservation technologies by the farmers may improve dryland crop productivity, farm income along with upliftment in their livelihood. Furthermore, harnessing every inch of rainfed lands by following highly efficient technologies is also need of the hour to feed the ever-increasing population.