Book of Extended summaries ISDA

International Conference on Reimagining Rainfed Agro-ecosystems: Challenges &
Opportunities during 22-24, December 2022 at ICAR-CRIDA, Hyderabad
increased infiltration rate of rain fall and reduced runoff that leads slow rate of soil erosion.
The furrow which allows drainage of excess water in case of heavy precipitation, while serves
as in situ moisture conservation during dry spells, thus mitigating the detrimental effects of
excess and dry spell situation.
T1-24P-1229
Integrating Improved Land, Water Management Practices and Cropping
Systems for Sustainable Farming in Drylands of Northern Karnataka: A
Case Study
M. S. Shirahatti 1 , V.S. Surakod 1 , S.G. Kanti 1 , H.S. Patil 1 and G. Ravindra Chary 2
1 AICRP on Dryland Agriculture, Vijayapura, Karnataka
2 ICAR - CRIDA, Hyderabad – 500 059, Telangana
The total amount of rainfall in the semi-arid tropics (SAT) regions is adequate to meet the water
requirement of the crops and cropping systems, its erratic distribution results in periods of
excess and deficit water availability, leading to low productivity and degradation of natural
resources. In recent years, due to climate change, the weather aberrations such as delayed onset
of monsoon, prolonged dry spells and high rainfall events during the crop growth period have
become common, thereby reducing the yields of rainfed crops. Under the climate change
scenario, the number of rainy days is decreased, but rainfall intensity increases. Therefore, an
integrated water resources management approach comprising in-situ water conservation,
harvesting of excess water in ponds and groundwater recharging and its efficient use through
appropriate supplemental irrigation methods, improved crop varieties and cropping systems,
balanced nutrition of crops, crop diversification and intensification with high value crops and
crop protection is needed to produce more food and income per unit of rainfall.
Methodology
The Northern Dry zone of Karnataka falls in the semi-arid tropics, annual rainfall is low and
erratic (LPA of 594 mm and CV of 30%). High insolation (18.9-21.0 MJ/m 2 /day) and high
wind speed during mid kharif season (20 km/hr) cause annual potential evaporation (1,574
mm) that far exceeds rainfall, leading to 988 mm of water deficit and aridity index of 62%. The
rainfall and runoff studies revealed that generally there would be 5 to 6 runoff events occurring
in the year, and a minimum 22 mm rainfall is required for the occurrence of the runoff. Long
term runoff data analysis revealed that annual runoff would be about 12-14 per cent of the
annual rainfall. Further, the ground water balance study revealed that ground water recharge
normally occurs during September and October months. The annual ground water recharge is
about 8 % of the annual rainfall. 80 per cent of the soil is shallow to medium to deep black soil.
The infiltration rate of the black cotton soil is low and 1-2% slope is prevailed in the area,
which gives the less opportunity time for infiltration.
Resilience through land and water management interventions, water management and governance
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