Rainfed agriculture is generally overlooked by development investors, researchers and policy makers due to limited confidence in its ability to increase agricultural production and development. However, research undertaken by a team of leading scientists from global organizations demonstrates its potential in achieving food security, improving livelihoods and most importantly addressing issues of equity and poverty reduction in dryland areas - the hot spots of poverty. On the basis of case studies from varied agricultural and ecological regions in Asia and Africa, chapters discuss the need for adopting new paradigms between rainfed and irrigated agriculture, catchment/micro-watershed management approaches, upgrades in science-based development and more investments in rainfed areas. Yield gaps for major rainfed crops are analysed globally and possible ways and means including technological, social, and institutional options to bridge the yield gaps are discussed in detail. Covering areas such as rainwater harvesting and its efficient use, the rehabilitation of degraded land and assessment methods for social, environmental and economic impacts, this book will be necessary for both academics and policy makers working in water management, agriculture and sustainable development.

While a good grasp of the many separate aspects of agriculture is important, it is equally essential for all those involved in agriculture to understand the functioning of the farming system as a whole and how it can be best managed. It is necessary to re-assess and understand rain-fed farming systems around the world and to find ways to improve the selection, design and operation of such systems for long term productivity, profitability and sustainability. The components of the system must operate together efficiently; yet many of the relationships and interactions are not clearly understood. Appreciation of these matters and how they are affected by external influences or inputs are important for decision making and for achieving desirable outcomes for the farm as a whole. This book analyses common rain-fed farming systems and defines the principles and practices important to their effective functioning and management.

It is supported by suitable examples and diagrams. The broad chapters included in the book are: Rainfed agriculture: Introduction, types, characteristics, distribution and importance; History of rainfed agriculture & watershed in India; Problems and prospects of rainfed agriculture in India; Soil and climatic conditions prevalent in rainfed areas; Drought: types, effect of water deficit on physio- morphological characteristics of the plants, Mechanism of crop adaptation under moisture deficit condition; Water harvesting: importance, its techniques, Efficient utilization of water through soil and crop management practices, Study of mulches and antitranspirants; Management of crops in rainfed areas; Contingent crop planning for aberrant weather conditions; Concept, objective, principles and components of watershed management, factors affecting watershed management; Integrated watershed development. The need for comprehensive information on rainfed farming relevant to undergraduate and postgraduate students of agriculture has been felt for quite some time. The advanced, diverse and need-based topics have been together for a systematic and comprehensive reading by the students and faculty in agriculture. The materials on subject matter is set forth in such a manner and order as to enable them to better understand and follow to a reasonable degree of uniformity and their approach to the problems of rainfed agriculture.

This book provides a comprehensive presentation of the realization of improved rainfed agriculture yield in semi-arid and dry land areas. The incentive of watershed programs is to increase the return on investment with over 20% for 65% of the projects that are currently underperforming. Besides techniques to improve the livelihood of the many small

The book “Textbook of Rainfed Agriculture and Watershed Management” has been written to fulfill the requirement of undergraduate students of agriculture faculty considering the syllabus of V Dean’s committee of ICAR. This book attempt to present the available information on dryland/rainfed agriculture and watershed management in a very simple, and lucid language in easily understandable manner. The book contains chapters on an introduction to rainfed agriculture, soil and climate, drought, soil and water conservation techniques, water harvesting, crop management, contingent crop planning for aberrant weather conditions and watershed management. The student community may harness the benefit from this book by understanding the fundamentals of dryland/ rainfed agriculture and watershed management. I hope this book will be very useful for the students, teachers, extension specialists and others interested in rainfed agriculture.

This book provides a comprehensive presentation of the realization of improved rainfed agriculture yield in semi-arid and dry land areas. The incentive of watershed programs is to increase the return on investment with over 20% for 65% of the projects that are currently underperforming. Besides techniques to improve the livelihood of the many small-scale farmers in developing countries, it includes examples and case studies for further support. The methods discussed have recently shown to be successful and economically remunerative in India and in various African countries. Intended for professionals (investors, policy makers), researchers and (post) graduate students working on dry land and sustainable agriculture and water and natural resources management. Suited for courses in dry land agriculture, soil and water management and watershed development.

This book discusses various issues related to Rainfed Agriculture, for example: Soil and water conservation. Drought management strategies. Rain-water harvesting. Crops and cropping system for dryland agriculture. Conservation agriculture. Climate-smart agriculture and watershed management. The subject matter is both narrative and critical, explained with illustrations and tables. Print and electronic editions not for sale in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bhutan).

The basic objective of agricultural research at ICARDA is to enhance pro ducer and consumer welfare through increasing the productivity, stability, and profitability of agriculture. Improved practices must be technically, ec onomically, and socially suitable to farmer conditions. The rainfed areas of West Asia and North Africa have highly variable environmental conditions as well as complex social and economic structures. In recent years, the region has been experiencing major changes in the relative availabilities and costs of the classical factors of production: land, labor, and capital. These changes have important implications for the design of new agricultural technology. On the one hand, the availability of labor may be an important factor determining the acceptability of new technology. On the other, it is important to consider the impact that technology can have on rural employment. To develop a better awareness of these issues and their relevance to technology development, ICARD A initiated a project on Agricultural Labor and Tech nological Change. The first stage of the project is published here; it is a review of available literature on selected issues of regional importance, com bined with more detailed analyses of the situations of eight countries with important rainfed agricultural sectors. ICARDA greatly appreciates the financial assistance of the Ford Foun dation, which allowed us to support the execution of the study and publi cation of its findings. We also appreciate the great efforts of the authors in the face of often limited data and facilities.

Rainfed Agriculture Has A Distinct Place In Indian Agriculture, Occupying 68 Per Cent Of The Total Cultivated Area And Supporting 40 Per Cent Of Human And 60 Per Cent Of Livestock Population. Agriculture In Rainfed Areas Continues To Be A Gamble Because Farmers In The Rainfed Region Face Many Uncertainties. In The Light Of Growing Population And Demand To Increase The Food Production Especially In The Developing Countries With Arid And Csemi-Arid Climate, This Book Mainly Focuses On The Land Use Diversification Involving Multi-Disciplinary Approaches For Sustainability In The Rainfed Regions.The Present Book Consists Of Twenty-Three Articles In All By Experts From Various Central & State Government Organisations, Agricultural Universities And Research Organisations Concerned With Rainfed Agriculture. These Articles, Covering Various Aspects Of Land Use Diversification For Sustainable Rainfed Agriculture, Have Been Arranged Into Five Sections: (A) Diversification: Need Of The Hour, (B) Natural Resources Dynamics, (C) Alternate Land Uses, (D) Case Studies, And (E) Capacity Building. Each Of The Articles Is Highly Informative And It Is Hoped That This Book Will Give An Interesting Insight Into The Varied Rainfed Agriculture Related Problems In India. It Highlights The Possible Measures Sustainable Management Of Land And Water Resources, Land Use Diversification, Alternate Land Uses Based On Climate, Soil And Crop Suitability, Etc. That Would Help Increase The Cropland As Well As Crop And Fodder Production In Rainfed Areas. The Present Book Enriched With Selected Case Studies Will Be Particularly Useful For Students, Teachers, Researchers And Scientists Working In The Area Of Rainfed Agriculture And Agricultural Planning For Sustainable Development.