India is blessed with better land, soil and water resources and thus had greater potential for the development of rainfed farming. If appropriate management of land and rainwater on watershed basis, more remunerative crop-plans tailored to available soil moisture and suitable integrated farming systems were adopted by the farmers, an evergreen revolution would certainly be ushered. Commendable research work was conducted by research centres of All India Coordinated Research Project on Dryland Agriculture, ICAR of Central Soil and Water Conservation Research and Training Institute (now Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation), of various State Agricultural Universities and Institute, Operational Research Projects launched by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and the National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP). The integration of all these research findings resulted in a complete technology for the holistic and sustainable development of dry farming/rainfed farming so as to exploit its great potential, and the some has been presented into this book entitled “Sustainable Development of Rainfed Farming of India”. The book has 13 chapters viz. (1) Concept and History of Rainfed Farming, (2) Importance and Potential of Rainfed Farming, (3) Constraints of Productivity under Rainfed Farming, (4) Sustainable Rainfed Farming, (5) Present Status and Strategy for Development, (6) Land and Soil Resources, (7) Water Resources, (8) Agro-climatic Characterisation, (9) Watershed-based Development of Rainfed Farming, (10) Rainfed Farming in Arid Regions, (11) Land Management in Semi Arid and Sub-Humid Regions, (12) Run-off Collection and Recycling and (13) Cropping Systems in Semi-Arid and Sub-humid Regions. In support of various statements made in different chapters, reliable data have been presented in tables. Further, the book is well-illustrated through figure and sketches. It is hoped that the book for researchers, field workers of the Department of Agriculture, a good teaching media for undergraduate and post-graduate courses on Watershed Management/Dryfarming offered by Agricultural Universities and a thought-provoking material for those responsible for planning and executing development projects on rainfed/ dry farming.
Dr. Y. P. Singh, After acquiring Doctorate in Agricultural Chem. and Soil Science, he has 33 years of diversified experience in agricultural research, extension, education and management positions in various capacities in different Institutes, such as Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior (MP), ICAR-RCER, Patna (Bihar), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Banasthali University, Banasthali (Rajasthan), Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal (Haryana). At present sering as a Director Extension Services, RVSKVV, Gwalior (MP) since 30 December, 2021. He has been bestowed with responsibilities of planning, executing, facilitating, guiding and monitoring of enhancing water productivity through conservation agriculture in changing climate scenario, doubling yield and income through 27 KVKs under jurisdiction of RVSKVV, Gwalior and several research and extension projects including Farmer First Programme Project of 1000 farmers’ family and covering additionally more than 500 tribal farmers’ family under TSP project. Previously, he had mobilization of nearly Rs 9.74 crores as PI and Co-PI in various research, extension and centre strengthening projects during his career as a researcher, research/extension manager. Currently, he is managing about more than ₹ 10 crores with three projects of research and strengthening as a PI since 2022. He has more than 200 research and conference papers, published in National and International Journals besides popular articles, leaflets, booklets, books, book chapters, etc. He evolved several innovative technologies adopted by a large number of beneficiaries. He has participated in many National and International seminars / workshops and training programmes. He has also guided ten PG and Ph.D. students and got several Honours and Awards. He has also worked as a Chief Editor, Councillor and also lifetime member of five national societies.
Dr. R. K. Naresh, an eminent agronomist and educationist, has etched his name in the annals of Indian Agricultural Science through decades of dedicated service, pioneering research, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of sustainable agriculture. As a Former Professor of Agronomy and Former Dean of Post Graduate Studies at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut. Dr. Naresh has played a monumental role in shaping the academic and scientific landscape of Indian agriculture, particularly in the Indo-Gangetic Plains. His career, marked by scholarly excellence and practical innovations, is further accentuated by his critical administrative role as the Nodal Officer of the Asian Development Bank Project for Western Uttar Pradesh, which catalyzed a wave of agricultural reforms and infrastructure enhancements in the region. He has published more than 300 research papers in reputed National and International Journals, contributing significantly to various aspects of agronomy, crop management, resource conservation, and climate-resilient agriculture. Dr. Naresh has authored and edited more than 65 books, which have served as the foundational texts for students, researchers, and extension workers alike. These publications cover a wide range of subjects from zero tillage and conservation agriculture to soil health management, integrated nutrient and pest management, and precision farming. He has worked in close collaboration with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Uttar Pradesh Council of Agricultural Research (UPCAR), among others. These collaborations have not only amplified the impact of his work but also facilitated the transfer of international technologies and practices to local farming systems, thereby bridging global knowledge with grassroots innovation. Dr. R. K. Naresh represents the ideal blend of scholarship, leadership, and service. His lifelong endeavour to elevate Indian agriculture through research, education, and grassroots engagement has left an indelible mark on the sector. His collaborations with premier global and national institutions, his contribution to policy formulation, his role in modernizing agricultural education, and his passion for farmer welfare make him one of the most respected and influential agronomists in the country. His life’s work serves as a guiding light for those who aspire to bring about transformative change in agriculture through science, compassion, and community-driven innovation.
Dr. G.P. Verma, M.Sc. Ag. (Agra), Ph.D. (Iowa, U.S.A.) retired as a Director, Research Services/Director Instruction, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (M.P.) after 36 years’ experience of teaching, research and extension of technology to farmers’ fields. Besides merit scholarships of Agra University and U.P. Govt., he has been awarded Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship for higher studies in U.S.A. His contribution to watershed based development of Rainfed/Dry farming and reclamation and control of gullies/ravines is outstanding, and in recognition of this, he bagged several assignments in India and abroad from Govt. of India, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Consultancy organizations like Consulting Engineering Services, Water and Power Consultancy Organization (WAPCO), Indian Institute of Public Opinion and Indian Institute of Public Administration. He served as a Dry Farming Expert to Govt. of Paraguay for one year (1981-82), and as a member of Team of Experts to Iraq Govt. for planning and development of dry farming. He has also served as an Expert to evaluate the Intensive Extension and Research Project of Gujarat State, as well as a member of ICAR Appraisal Team for National Agricultural Research Project. He had the honour of membership of Expert Committee-cum-Jury for several awards. He executed a project “Watershed based reclamation and control of ravines” sanctioned by Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India on farmers’ fields in Noorabad village, Distt. Morena, in a mini-watershed of Sank river. He has been President, Gwalior Chapter of Indian Society of Soil Science (2005-12) and Chairman, Consortium Advisory Committee, National Agriculture Innovation Project, Component III, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) and Consultant, Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya Project “Identification of Efficient Integrated Modules for Sustainable Management of Ravines (Chambal) and Carbon Sequestration for Climate Resilience in Madhya Pradesh” funded by NICRA (National Initiative for Climate Resilient Agriculture) ICAR. He was awarded as “Agriculture Scientist-2015 by Gwalior Vikas Samiti, Gwalior and was also conferred ‘Lifetime Achievement Award-2015 by Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (M.P.) on the occasion on of Golden Jubilee of the Vishwa Vidyalaya on October 1, 2015. As recipient of several travel grants from Overseas Development Administration, U. K., British Council, Canadian International Development Agency and Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, he participated in various International Workshops/Seminars, and training programmes, and visited UK Research Institutes of Hydrology, Agricultural Engineering and Land Management, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok; Agricultural Experiment Station, Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada; Soil Conservation Research Station Purdue University and Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, U.S.A.
Dr. Bijay Singh is a distinguished Soil Scientist known for significant research on soil fertility, nitrogen fertilizers, and their impact on agricultural productivity and environmental health. He has held prominent academic positions at Punjab Agricultural University including as ICAR National Professor. His research has focused on enhancing nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency in rice-wheat cropping system and understanding the environmental and soil health effects of fertilizers. His work includes pioneering strategies for nitrogen management in South Asian agriculture, notably the use of leaf colour charts to optimize fertilizer application in rice and wheat farming. Dr. Singh has earned multiple awards for his substantial contributions and is recognized as a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, and the Indian Society of Soil Science. His contributions continue to influence policy and practice in agricultural soil management, particularly in South Asia but with relevance worldwide.
1. Concepts and History ..............................................................................1
2. Importance and Potential of Rainfed Farming ......................................17
3. Constraints of Productivity Under Rainfed Farming ............................27
4. Sustainable Rainfed Farming ................................................................39
5. Present Status and Strategies for Development ....................................49
6. Land and Soil Resources .......................................................................65
7. Water Resources ....................................................................................75
8. Agro-climatic Characterisation .............................................................83
9. Watershed-based Development of Rainfed Farming ..........................103
10. Rainfed Farming in Arid Regions .......................................................119
11. Land Management in Semi-Arid and Sub-Humid Regions ................129
12. Run-off Collection and Recycling .......................................................167
13. Cropping Systems in Semi-Arid and Sub-Humid Regions .................191
Bibliography ........................................................................................211
