ICTs for ‘Second Green Revolution’ in Rainfed agro-ecosystem

Abstract

The Eastern region comprising of Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal, holds promise for a Second Green Revolution (SGR), which can be accomplished through holistic management of land, water, crops, biomass, horticultural, livestock, fishery and human resources. The Eastern region is unique for its suitability to the production of many agricultural commodities. The region has fertile soils and ample water resources, the two most important natural resources required for higher productivity. The majority of the areas in these states have a length of growing period of 240 days or more, which is adequate to support double cropping. Annual rainfall in the region varies from 1000 mm to 2500 mm. Average rainfall during last 14 years was more than 2000 mm in the Lower Gangetic Plains and 1000 mm to 1250 mm in the Middle Gangetic Plains, and Plateau and Coastal regions.