Current Science

C. A. Rama Rao ¹, B. M. K. Raju ¹, A. V. M. Subba Rao ¹, K. V. Rao ¹, V. U. M. Rao ¹, Kausalya Ramachandran ¹, B. Venkateswarlu ², A. K. Sikka ³, M. Srinivasa Rao ¹, M. Maheswari ¹, Ch. Srinivasa Rao ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN
2 Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani 431 462, IN
3 Natural Resource Management Division, ICAR, New Delhi 110 012, IN

Abstract

Assessing vulnerability to climate change and variability is an important first step in evolving appropriate adaptation strategies to changing climate. Such an analysis also helps in targeting adaptation investments, specific to more vulnerable regions. Adopting the definition of vulnerability given by IPCC, vulnerability was assessed for 572 rural districts of India. Thirty eight indicators reflecting sensitivity, adaptive capacity and exposure were chosen to construct the composite vulnerability index. Climate projections of the PRECIS model for A1B scenario for the period 2021-2050 were considered to capture the future climate. The data on these indicators were normalized based on the nature of relationship. They were then combined into three indices for sensitivity, exposure and adaptive capacity, which were then averaged with weights given by experts, to obtain the relative vulnerability index. Based on the index, all the districts were divided into five categories with equal number of districts. One more district was added to 'very high' and 'high' categories. The analysis showed that districts with higher levels of vulnerability are located in the western and peninsular India. It is also observed that the highly fertile Indo-Gangetic Plains are relatively more sensitive, but less vulnerable because of higher adaptive capacity and lower exposure.

Keywords

Agriculture, Adaptive Capacity and Exposure, Climate Change, Sensitivity, Vulnerability.

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Ch. Srinivasa Rao ¹, R. Rejani ¹, C. A. Rama Rao ¹, K. V. Rao ¹, M. Osman ¹, K. Srinivasa Reddy ¹, Manoranjan Kumar ¹, Prasanna Kumar ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad-500 059, IN

Abstract

This article summarizes the utility of farm pond technology as an adaptation strategy to overcome water shortage due to several reasons, including climate change. This technology has the potential to increase availability of water for supplemental irrigation, increase in cropped area and productivity leading to increase in net returns from crops. Farm pond offers a solution to overcome the increased frequencies of drought, particularly mid-season and terminal drought under climate change scenario. The article advocates for policy intervention to promote one pond for each farm holding having an area of 2.0 ha at individual farm level or on community-sharing basis. Constraints for large-scale implementation of farm pond technology are also discussed.

Keywords

Climate Change, Drought Management, Farm Ponds, Rainfed Agriculture, Supplemental Irrigation.

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B. M. K. Raju ¹, C. A. Rama Rao ¹, K. V. Rao ¹, Srinivasarao ¹, Josily Samuel ¹, A. V. M. Subba Rao ¹, M. Osman ¹, M. Srinivasa Rao ¹, N. Ravi Kumar ¹, R. Nagarjuna Kumar ¹, V. V. Sumanth Kumar ², K. A. Gopinath ¹, N. Swapna ¹

Affiliations
1 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santoshnagar, Hyderabad 500 059, IN
2 International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad 502 324, IN

Abstract

The projected demand of maize production in India in 2050 is 4–5 times of current production. With the scope for area expansion being limited, there is need for enhancement of yield. This calls for identifying areas where huge unrealized yield potential exists. With a view to address the issue, the present study delineates homogeneous agro-climatic zones for maize production system in India taking district as a unit and using the factors production, viz. climate, soil, season and irrigated area under the crop. There are 146 districts in India that grow maize as a major crop. They were divided into 26 zones using multivariate cluster analysis. Study of variation in yield between districts within a zone vis-a-vis crop management practices adopted in those districts was found useful in targeting the yield gaps. These findings can have direct relevance to the maize farmers and district level administrators.

Keywords

Agro-Climatic Zone, Climate, Cluster, Irrigation, Potential Yield, Yield Gap.

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S. K. Srivastava ¹, N. P. Singh ², Jaspal Singh ¹, K. V. Rao ³, S. J. Balaji ²

Affiliations
1 National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), New Delhi 110 001, IN
2 ICAR-National Institute of Agricultural Economics and Policy Research, New Delhi 110 012, IN
3 ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad 500 059, IN

Abstract

Prioritizing and targeting less developed regions is one of the multi-pronged strategies for doubling farmers’ income (DFI) in India. Using an indicator approach, the present study assessed and mapped agro-ecological sub-regions (AESRs) based on ten indicators representing production, infrastructure, information, marketing and income of the farmers. On the basis of the composite index of agriculture development, AESR 9.1 and AESR 1.1 were found to be the most and the least developed regions respectively. Further, the potential districts for each of the less-developed AESRs have been identified for greater prudency in planning. The study concludes that for achieving the target of DFI within the stipulated time-frame, it is imperative to mainstream AESR-based planning in technological development and dissemination. The evidences revealed large and equitable response of the efforts targeted towards less-developed regions.

Keywords

Agro-Ecological Sub-Regions, Agricultural Development, Characterization and Mapping, Doubling Farmers’ Income.

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