Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
system typologies of the area (rainfed lowland, rainfed medium land, irrigated lowland,
irrigated medium land and irrigated upland),. Five different packages of climate resilient
technologies like mangrove barrier, land shaping, land embankment cultivation, broad bed
cum trench system, flood and salinity tolerant crop varieties, animal health management,
alternate livelihood options (backyard poultry, Asian catfish hatchery, ornamental bird),
community seedbed, custom hiring centre, etc., were demonstrated (Table).. In each typology
the data of demonstration plots were compared with the farmers plot following traditional
farming practices from 2019-21.
Results
All interventions under different farming system typologies resulted in significant increase in
net income over the traditional system. The rainfed medium land situation with crop +
livestock farming system showed highest response (409% increase in net income). Even
during cyclonic disturbances (Fani and Bulbul in 2019, Amphan in 2020 and Yaas in 2021)
the village sustained farming activities as the river embankment was intact due to the
mangrove barrier created during the project period.
Lowland situation is most vulnerable to prolonged submergence during cyclones and
intensive rainfall. Community based activities like mangrove restoration and rejuvenation of
drainage canals were found to be important to provide climate resilience in the project
village. Modification of land topography (through land embankment cultivation and broad
bed cum furrow system) in this situation are important to increase crop diversity. Alternate
livelihood support (through catfish hatchery & backyard poultry) also increased the overall
farm income. The medium and upland situation is most vulnerable to dry spells in monsoon
and acute irrigation scarcity during winter and summer. Rainwater harvesting through land
shaping and desiltation of existing ponds assured irrigation. Modification of land topography
(land shaping) was found to be important to increase cropping intensity. Availability of fresh
pond water throughout the year helped to perform fishery and improve the overall net
income. Dependence on mono-cropping increases vulnerability during a climatic hazard.
Diversification in farming through effective integration of crop, livestock and fish helped the
farmers to get assured income.
Income from different climate resilient technology packages (average of 2019 to 2021)
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Climate resilient agriculture for risk mitigation