🛠️ Dryland Farming Practices and Contingency Planning

Dryland farming requires integrated agronomic practices and pre-planned contingency decisions to sustain yields under uncertain rainfall and prolonged moisture stress.

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Package of Practices for Dryland Farming

1. Land Preparation

• Summer ploughing: Deep plough after Rabi harvest to increase water absorption
• Soil inversion: Buries weed seeds deep, brings subsoil nutrients up
• Optimal tilth: Fine tilth for small-seeded crops; coarse tilth for deep-rooted crops
• Avoid over-tillage: Excessive pulverization leads to crusting and poor infiltration

2. Crop Selection

Select crops based on annual rainfall and soil type:

Rainfall Zone	Suitable Crops
<350 mm	Pearl millet, moth bean, cluster bean
350–500 mm	Sorghum, pearl millet, cluster bean, groundnut
500–750 mm	Sorghum, castor, sunflower, pigeonpea, sesame
750–1000 mm	Soybean, cotton, maize, finger millet

3. Variety Selection

• Short/medium duration: Escape terminal drought
• Deep root system: Access moisture from deeper soil layers
• Early vigor: Quick ground cover reduces evaporation
• Examples: CSH 14 (sorghum), WR 315 (pearl millet), JS 335 (soybean)

4. Sowing Practices

• Dry sowing: Sow seeds in dry soil just before expected rains (pearl millet, sorghum)
• Seed priming: Soaking seeds in water for 8–12 hours before sowing improves early vigor
• Optimal seed rate: Slightly higher than irrigated to compensate for potential mortality
• Sowing depth: 5–7 cm (deeper for moisture access)

5. Nutrient Management

• DAP placement: Band-place phosphorus fertilizer 5 cm below and beside seed
• Organic manures: FYM 5 t/ha as basal + biofertilizer seed treatment
• Foliar nutrition: 2% DAP spray at flowering under stress — increases yield 10–15%
• Micro-nutrients: Zinc and sulphur application based on soil test

6. Intercropping Systems for Drylands

• Sorghum + pigeonpea (2:1 ratio): Most popular dryland system in peninsular India
• Pearl millet + mothbean (3:1): Arid western Rajasthan
• Groundnut + pigeonpea (6:1): Semi-arid regions
• Maize + soybean (1:2): Central India highlands

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

Key components:

1. Rainfed Area Development (RAD): Integrated farming systems for rainfed areas
2. On Farm Water Management (OFWM): Water harvesting, micro-irrigation
3. Soil Health Management (SHM): Soil testing, micronutrient application
4. Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture: Climate-resilient practices

Watershed Plus Approach

Modern watershed development goes beyond soil and water conservation:

• Livelihood enhancement: Farm and non-farm income generation
• Market linkage: Producer organizations, value chain development
• Capacity building: Farmer training and exposure visits
• Gender equity: Women's involvement in decision-making
• Convergence: Integration with MGNREGA, PMKSY, Skill India

Summary Cheat Sheet

Area	Quick Recall
Dryland package	Timely sowing, moisture conservation, balanced nutrition, and weed control
Contingency planning	Alternate crop and variety choices for delayed/failed monsoon
System support	NMSA focuses on rainfed area development, OFWM, and soil health
Watershed plus	Extends beyond conservation to livelihoods, institutions, and markets

References

2 sources • [1] [2]

[1]

National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

Official

[2]

ICAR-CRIDA: Dryland Farming and Contingency Plans

Official