Alternate land use systems for resource conservation, emerging market needs and mitigation of climate change in rainfed regions

Abstract

The ever increasing pressure of human and animal population and the changing food habits have led to intensive cultivation of marginal lands leading to land degradation particularly under rainfed conditions. About 120 m ha of land is subjected to one or the other kinds of degradation in India. Productivity of such lands continues to be low. In order to make the best use of such lands, there is a need to plan land use based on its supporting ability keeping in view the short term goals of market demand, profitability and the long term goal of sustainability. Alternative land use is different from the conventional land use and can be defined as effective, appropriate and economic utilization of land without harming the natural resource base. Alternative land use practices essentially involve perennial components to conserve natural resources, imparts stability to rainfed production systems, drought tolerance and income generation in spite of extremities in rainfall under rainfed situations. In recent years the emphasis on alternate land uses has increased due to their role in mitigation of climate change, production of biofuels, pulpwood, industrial wood, medicinal and other value added products. In view of the importance attached to these systems, this winter school is designed to meet the expectations of researchers, extension officers and implementing agencies with exposure on new technologies and systems for enhancing the productivity and profitability of agriculture in rainfed areas.