Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
whereas10 to 20% increase is likely over other regions. There is a probable decrease in the
number of rainy days over major part of the country pointing at likely increase of extreme
events. With current gains in the existing rainfed production systems, there is need for more
profitable land use systems. While evolving strategies for bridging yield gaps, due attention
must be given to regional imbalances in terms of natural resources. For yield maximization,
selecting genotypes with wide adaptability, cropping systems and crop diversification and
resilience to climate variability remains a challenge. There is increasing urgency for a
stronger focus on adapting agriculture to future climate change.
Methodology
The experiments on cropping systems were conducted both on-station and on-farm at
network centres of All India Co-ordinated Research Project for Dryland Agriculture
(AICRPDA). The results are briefly presented.
Results
Crop diversification in India is generally viewed as a shift from traditionally grown less
remunerative crops to more remunerative crops. Higher profitability and also the
resilience/stability in production urge for crop diversification, and large number of crops are
practiced as intercrops in rainfed lands to reduce the risk factor of crop failures due to
drought. Crop diversification is recognized as one of the most feasible, cost-effective, and
rational ways of developing a resilient agricultural cropping system, particularly in rainfed
agroecosystems. The various strategies for land use diversification for climate change
adaptation (drought mitigation) in rainfed agroecosystems are briefed below.
a. Resilient crops and varieties: Introduction of alternate crops and new cultivars of rainfed
crops is a strategy aimed at enhancing productivity, and/or building crop resilience to weather
risks, and environmental stresses at the backdrop of climate change/variability. It reduces the
risk of total crop failure and also provides alternative means of generating income, as
different crops will respond to climate scenarios in different ways. Higher yields can be
attained by sowing the suitable crops at the right time and with the right land use conditions.
Beyond the sowing window, choice of alternate crops or cultivars depends on the farming
situation, soil, rainfall and cropping pattern in the location and extent of delay in the onset of
monsoon. The network centres of AICRPDA, over a period of research developed the
following agro-ecology specific risk resilient alternate crops and intercropping systems to
cope with delayed onset of monsoon for scaling out in various core rainfed agroclimatic
zones.
b. Alignment of agro-ecology specific resilient rainfed cropping systems : Crop
diversification with intercropping systems enhances resource use efficiency, and overall
system productivity and income per unit area to the small holders. Diversification with
Climate resilient agriculture for risk mitigation
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