Revamp rainfed farming

The focus of agricultural research and development programmes needs to shift towards rainfed lands that harbour the bulk of rural poverty

Look at the dimensions of India’s unirrigated or rain-dependent agriculture sector.

• About 52 per cent of the total cropland is unirrigated and relies primarily on rainfall for farming.
• Over 60 per cent farmers cultivate crops without irrigation.
• Between 55 and 60 per cent of the gross domestic product of the ‘agriculture and allied activities’ (agri-GDP) comes from rainfed lands.
• Nearly 90 per cent millets (jowar, bajra, ragi and others), 85 per cent pulses, 70 per cent oilseeds and 40 per cent rice is grown in unirrigated fields.  
• About 65 per cent cattle, 75 per cent sheep and 80 per cent goats are maintained by rain-supported