Rainfed Agriculture

Featured Articles
August 10, 2022
Taming water - Irrigation and drought protection in colonial India and the present
The irrigation at all costs mindset and narrow policies for drought protection during the colonial rule ignored rainfed agriculture and local practices that sustained agriculture in the Bombay Deccan. This continues even today.
Recurrent droughts and the struggle for survival (Image Source: Gaurav Bhosale via Wikimedia Commons):
June 19, 2022
Hidden treasure: Adivasi’s traditional food diversity
Odisha Millets Mission is trying to bring back the glory of millets in tribal areas
A range of millet recipes and ready to cook items are sold by Millets on Wheels in Jashipur block in Mayurbhanj district. This initiative is supported by Odisha Millets Mission (Image: Odisha Millets Mission)
May 25, 2022
Non pesticide management – a viable alternative
A study assesses the impact of the Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming programme
The APCNF policy promotes zero synthetic chemical inputs (Image: Andhra Pradesh Community Managed Natural Farming Facebook Page)
April 24, 2021
Scaling up sustainable agriculture critical to improve farm incomes
Study by CEEW proposes several measures for promoting sustainable agricultural practices and systems, including restructured government support and rigorous evidence generation
SRI rice field (Image: Wikimedia Commons; CC BY-SA 4.0)
April 1, 2021
COVID-19 and social protection: Impact in the agriculture sector
Lower transaction costs, minimal leakages, and immediate delivery make a strong case for direct cash transfers, says study.
Access to credit increased farmers' expenditures on farm-related activities. (Image: Pixy.org)
March 12, 2021
Strengthening the frontline for water security
Challenges and aspirations of community champions and how programs can address them
Kalyani Dash works with 150 households in the village directly and trains them on chemical-free farming techniques, water secure crop production, efficient water use in agriculture for a sustainable farming future as well as kitchen and nutrition gardening. (Image: FES)
How can small farmers' income be increased?
Here is a look at the challenges faced by small farmers in India and how they can be dealt with.
Yogesh Upadhyaya
Posted on 23 Nov, 2018 05:23 PM

As per the agricultural statistics of 2014, nearly 430 people depend on farming in India while 263 million people are either farmers or agricultural workers. Farmers are major contributors to the growth of Indian economy and their concerns impact policies in the country. 
Better strategy needed to increase small farmer's income. (Source: Yogesh Upadhyaya)
The unique Himalayan wetlands
The Himalayan wetlands are under threat due to unregulated urbanisation and unsustainable tourism. Urgent attention at the policy level is the need of the hour.
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
Posted on 03 Nov, 2018 08:33 AM

Wetlands are very important and productive ecosystems that support a wide range of plants and animals and provide livelihood opportunities to local communities in India.
A view of the Himalayas. (Source: IWP Flickr photos--photo for representation purpose only)
New sturdy rice variety developed
Scientists develop transgenic rice that can grow under high salinity and drought.
Sunderarajan Padmanabhan
Posted on 29 Oct, 2018 10:44 AM

A group of researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and University of Illinois have developed transgenic rice that promises to generate high yields even under conditions of high salinity, high temperature and drought.
Dr Ashwani Pareek and his team that developed the rice. (Photo: ISW)
‘Organic farming brought huge profit for me’
Farmer Renupada has taken it up as a mission to make more farms organic by training fellow farmers on the sustainable practice.
Gurvinder Singh
Posted on 25 Oct, 2018 09:59 AM

At the age of 70, Renupada Bagdi of Doniapur village in Birbhum district of West Bengal is on a mission to convince his fellow farmers to take up organic farming just like he did a few years ago. He knows from his experience that chemical fertilisers do not yield crops as big companies make it out to be.
Renupada Bagdi in front of his thatched house. (Photo: Gurvinder Singh)
Cyclone Daye triggers widespread rain
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 25 Sep, 2018 06:02 PM

Cyclone causes rain in 18 states; floods, landslides reported in North India
Monsoon affects life in North India. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Desertification: Not just a North Indian problem
A new study finds that manmade activities such as deforestation and mining are to blame for the rise in desertification in the south of India.
Aarti Kelkar Khambete
Posted on 16 Aug, 2018 10:30 AM

India is highly vulnerable to desertification.
Increasing desertification is a challenge India needs to tackle. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
The Mahanadi tussle: Why Chhattisgarh and Odisha spar
A video provides an overview of the water conflict between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the Mahanadi.
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 08 Aug, 2018 05:08 PM

The interstate dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the Mahanadi's water is an ongoing one and it looks like both the state governments have no interest in finding a long-term solution.
The Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi (Source: India Water Portal)
The mystery of the monsoon
While scientists try to understand this unique phenomenon, the moody and often mysterious monsoon continues to challenge us to explore its different facets.
Aarti Kelkar Khambete
Posted on 30 Jul, 2018 07:38 PM

Monsoon, the season of rains, has a unique place in the heart of the people of India. This passionate burst of showers has been extensively documented, observed and studied by travellers, poets, scientists, farmers and more.

Extremely vital for agriculture and survival in India, the monsoon continues to be a mystery. But why?
Monsoon remains a mystery even now. (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Replacing rice could help India reduce water use'
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 10 Jul, 2018 10:23 AM

India could address its water, food security by replacing rice cultivation: Study 
Rice field in Assam (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Climate hotspots to affect India's economy
Seven out of the top 10 climate hotspots in India in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, says a World Bank study.
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 04 Jul, 2018 10:35 AM

A study by the World Bank indicates that due to rising temperatures and changing monsoon rainfall patterns from climate change, India’s gross domestic product (GDP) may dip by 2.8 percent (amounting to $1177.8 billion) by 205
Tribal and poverty hotspots coincide with climate hotspots. (Pic courtesy: Yann, Wikimedia Commons)
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