Dryland Management in Arid Ecosystem

摘要

Drylands are characterized by a deficiency of precipitation, prolonged periods of heat, low relative humidity, and high rates of evaporation resulting in unfavourable conditions for biological growth. Drylands constitute about 40% of global land surfaces and are home to more than 900 million people in 100 countries. In context to India, dry lands occupy 249 mha i.e. 75% of the total geographical area and about 70% of country's gross cropped rainfed area contributing about 42% of country's food basket. These arid and semi-arid areas assume a strategic position as these account for 60.5% of the total area under cotton, 74% under groundnut and 36.5% under other oilseeds in the country. Even for food crops, these areas account for 64% of the area undersorghum, 51.4% of the area under millet, 30.5% of the area under wheat, and 47% of the area under pulses. Despite sizeable area under rainfed cultivation the productivity from these lands is much lower compared to irrigated areas.