Management of rainwater in foothills of siwaliks for improving crop productivity

摘要

Soil erosion has converted most of the fertile soils of the region into barren, fallow and degraded lands. It is estimated that about 32 percent of the total geographical area of Jammu and Kashmir State is highly degraded. Soil loss through water erosion during maize crops is about 3.6 to 10 t/hm2. Survey in foothill region showed that farmers are aware of rainwater management for ground water recharge but lacks interest and techniques. The major constraints identified for conservation and management of water and soil in the area includes lack of technical knowledge and poor economic status of the farmers. Village and farm ponds are a better option for collecting rainwater excess during monsoon periods for utilization for irrigation to rabi crops. Adoption of effective in-situ rainwater conservation practices like deep tillage, ridge & furrow, bunding and mulching can improve crop yields. This can surely help in stabilizing wheat yields thus improving the socio-economic status of the resource poor fanners of the region.