Crop based contingency planning for Kandi Region of Punjab

Abstract

Rainfed agriculture occupies a prominent place in Indian economy. About 60% of total net sown area is rainfed and is contributing nearly 40% of the total food production. It supports 40% of human and 60% of livestock population. Agriculture in rainfed areas face several uncertainties like aberrant weather, lack of timely inputs and credit leading to low and unstable productivity and profitability. The main source of water for crops under rainfed conditions is rain, a major portion of which is received in the month of June to September during the south -west monsoon period. Normally, there are at least five important aberrations in the rainfall behavior, viz., (i) early commencement of the rains, or considerably delayed monsoon, (ii) intermittent “breaks” during the cropping season, (iii) variation in spatial and/or temporal aberrations, and (iv) early withdrawal of rainfall or continued wet spells for longer period. These situations call for attention of agricultural scientists and planners to develop contingent measures to save the rainfed crops and select crops/varieties suitable for crop seasons in different agro climatic regions of the country.