Q2(a). Discuss the various steps to stabilise and elevate the crop production in dry land areas.

“Rainfed agriculture is the backbone of India’s food security.” – ICAR Report, 2023

Nearly 68% of India’s net sown area is rainfed and prone to drought, soil degradation, and low productivity. Dryland regions including parts of Haryana’s Mahendragarh, Rewari, Hisar, Bhiwani require climate-resilient strategies to stabilise and enhance output.

Soil and Moisture Conservation Measures

• Contour bunding, terracing, graded bunds, and contour trenching reduce erosion and improve water retention.
• Mulching (crop residue/organic cover) preserves moisture, crucial in dry Haryana districts.
• Haryana’s Mewat Model of micro-watershed bunding increased bajra yield by 12–18%.

Water Management & Water Harvesting

• Farm ponds, percolation tanks, check dams, and recharge shafts.
• PMKSY Watershed Development and Haryali Scheme improve groundwater recharge.
• Haryana’s Jal Hi Jeevan Hai and Mera Pani, Meri Virasat initiatives encourage water-efficient cropping especially in low-rainfall belts.

Drought-Resistant and Climate-Resilient Crop Varieties

• Promotion of bajra, guar, moth bean, pulses, and horticultural crops.
• ICAR’s drought-tolerant cultivars like HHB 67 Improved (bajra) widely adopted in Haryana’s dry belts.

Micro-Irrigation Technologies

• Drip and sprinkler systems increase water-use efficiency up to 40–60%.
• Under PM-KUSUM, Haryana farmers install solar pumps reducing irrigation cost and making agriculture viable in arid zones.

Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

• Crop, livestock, horticulture and fishery combinations diversify income.
• Haryana’s dry districts integrate goatery, dairy and fodder cultivation to reduce climate risk.

Balanced Nutrition and Soil Health

• Use of biofertilisers, micronutrients (Zn, Fe), and organic matter enhances fertility.
• Soil Health Cards adopted widely in Haryana record nutrient status for corrective action.

Crop Insurance and Risk Management

• PMFBY safeguards farmers from drought and crop losses.
• Haryana has one of the highest per-acre PMFBY claim settlements in semi-arid districts.

Improving dryland agriculture requires integrated strategies combining water conservation, climate-smart crops, micro-irrigation, soil health, and institutional support vital for states like Haryana where a large population depends on rainfed farming.