Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
T2-10R-1264
Akkadi: A Sustainable Livelihood Cropping System in Raichur District of
Karnataka
Lokappa Nayak 1 , Prachi Patil 2 , Mallikarjun Patil 1 , V. Swaran 2
1
India Foundation for Humanistic Development, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560025, 2 Watershed
Support Services and Activities Network, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500068
An exploratory research study on an indigenous multi-cropping system, locally known as
Akkadi, was undertaken in the Kannal village of Raichur district (Karnataka). Akkadi is an
indigenous cropping system where rainfed farmers grow combinations of millets, pulses, oil
seeds, and vegetables on the same farm land, same time. In this thoughtfully evolved
traditional cropping system of Akkadi, crops are combined in such a manner that harvesting
of crops starts from the second month after sowing and continues up to nine months.
Pigeonpea, sorghum/pearl Millet crops constitute major proportion in Akkadi cropping
system relative to the greengram, cowpea, moth bean, roselle, castor, and beans. The crop
layout consists of three rows of sorghum or pearl Millet crop followed by a row of red gram
intercrop (Fig). The row-to-row spacing between sorghum or pearl millet crop is 30 cm.
To document the indigenous cropping system of Akkadi traditionally practiced in Lingusur
and Maski tehsil of Raichur districts and understand the its design principles.
Methodology
Study Area: Akkadiis traditionally practiced in Lingusur and Maski tehsil of Raichur district
Karnataka. Study was conducted in Kannal village 15°56'18.9"N& 76°28'31.6"E of
Maskitehsil. The study was conducted in three steps. The first step was to explore the existing
traditional cropping system through network groups. Cropping system was selected based on
the characteristics such as multi-crops, one-time sowing with multiple harvests at multiple
times, multi-tier, covers soils for a longer duration, and specific phenotypes of crops in the
system. Detailed analytical documentation of the identified traditional cropping system was
done, with focus group discussions, key informants interviews, and field visits. Researchers
along with the panel of experts, analysed the documentation and evaluated the system for
identification of any design principles guiding the traditional cropping system.
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Ecosystem based approaches for climate change adaptation, ecosystem services, integrated farming system models,
Land degradation neutrality