Rainfed Agro-Eco system Completion Report

Abstract

Covering 66% of the cultivated area, Rainfed Agro-Eco System (AES) occupies an important place in Indian agriculture. Besides supporting 40% human population, the rainfed AES also supports two thirds of the livestock. Low and erratic rainfall, degraded soils and poor resource base of farmers are some principal constraints affecting productivity and sustainability. Following a new paradigm of eco-region based research initiated under NATP, the rainfed AES was sub divided into five homogenous production systems i.e. rainfed rice, oilseeds, pulses, cotton and nutritious cereals. 103 sub projects were taken up in a network mode to address critical gaps identified in each of these production systems. To begin with, a detailed assessment of target area was made by a critical analysis of production and productivity trends of important crop/cropping systems/live stock and status of natural resources in more than 300 districts in semi arid and sub humid zones in the country. Specific target districts (225) representing large area under important commodities with low or stagnant productivity were selected for taking up production system research in a network mode. Relevant sub projects in the areas of natural resources management (NRM), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), rainwater management, cropping systems, horticulture, post harvest technology and livestock production were taken up to address the identified constraints. Of the 600 initial proposals received, the scientific CHAPTER 1 advisory panel (SAP) approved 103 projects considering the relevance of the project for a given production system, institutional participation, technical programme of the proposal and activity milestones. Sixty five projects were implemented through on-farm adaptive research (OFAR) mode involving farmers from target villages as partners. This was the most significant aspect of programme in rainfed agro-ecosystem which paid high dividends, as extensive data could be generated from farmers’ micro farming situations in different agro-ecological sub regions.