Humidity: In rainfed agriculture, humidity refers to the amount of moisture present in the air. High humidity levels can affect the growth of crops, as excessive moisture in the air can lead to diseases and fungal infections in the plants.
Fog: Fog can be a common occurrence in rainfed agriculture, especially in regions with high humidity. It can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the crops and increase moisture levels, potentially leading to mold and mildew on the plants.
Frost: Frost occurs when temperatures drop low enough to freeze the moisture on plants, potentially damaging or killing them. In rainfed agriculture, frost can be particularly damaging to crops, especially if they are not cold-tolerant.
Dew: Dew is the moisture that forms on plants and other surfaces during the night as a result of condensation. In rainfed agriculture, dew can provide some moisture to the crops, especially in areas where rainfall is scarce.
Wind: Wind can have both positive and negative effects on rainfed agriculture. Strong winds can cause soil erosion and damage to crops, while gentle breezes can help in pollination and reduce the occurrence of fungal diseases by promoting air circulation.
Important acronym
AICRPDA: All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture.
CAZRI: Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur
CSWCR&TI: Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute at Dehradun.
ICRISAT: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Hyderabad
CGIAR: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
CRIDA: The Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad NWDB: National Wasteland Development Board
NRAA: National Rainfed Area Authority
IWMP: Integrated Watershed Management Programme
Important History Highlights :
The First Famine Commission in 1880, was tasked with finding ways to deal with droughts that had been occurring since 1860. The commission recommended the establishment of protective irrigation projects.
First systematic scientific approach to tackle the problems of dry farming areas was initiated by Tamhane in 1923 on a small plot at Manjri Farm near Pune
The ICAR selected 25 dryland agricultural centers all over the country on the basis of the moisture deficit, soil type, and rainfall characteristics
The Green Revolution in the mid-1960s, there was a wide disparity in productivity between irrigated and rainfed agriculture. This led to a focus on improving the agricultural development of dryland regions during the Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969-1974).
In response, the Indian government launched the All India Coordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture (AICRPDA) in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in 1970.
