Description
Book SynopsisRainfed agriculture is generally overlooked by development investors, researchers and policy makers due to limited confidence in its ability to increase agricultural production and development. However, research undertaken by a team of leading scientists from global organizations demonstrates its potential in achieving food security, improving livelihoods and most importantly addressing issues of equity and poverty reduction in dryland areas - the hot spots of poverty. On the basis of case studies from varied agricultural and ecological regions in Asia and Africa, chapters discuss the need for adopting new paradigms between rainfed and irrigated agriculture, catchment/micro-watershed management approaches, upgrades in science-based development and more investments in rainfed areas. Yield gaps for major rainfed crops are analysed globally and possible ways and means including technological, social, and institutional options to bridge the yield gaps are discussed in detail. Covering areas such as rainwater harvesting and its efficient use, the rehabilitation of degraded land and assessment methods for social, environmental and economic impacts, this book will be necessary for both academics and policy makers working in water management, agriculture and sustainable development.
Table of Contents1: Rain-fed agriculture - Past trend and future prospects 2: Zooming in on the global hotspots of rainfed agriculture in water constrained environments 3: Water resource implications of upgrading rainfed agriculture - focus on green and blue water trade-offs 4: Tectonics-Climate Linked Natural Soil Degradation and its Impact in Rainfed Agriculture : Indian Experience 5: Determinants of crop growth and yield in a changing climate 6: Yield Gap Analysis: Modeling of Achievable Yields at Farm Level 7: Can rainfed agriculture feed the world? - An assessment of potentials and risk 8: Opportunities for Improving Crop-water Productivity through Genetic Enhancement of dryland crops 9: Water Harvesting for Improved Rainfed Agriculture in the Dry Environments 10: Supplemental Irrigation for Improved Rainfed Agriculture : In WANA Region 11: Opportunities for water harvesting and supplemental irrigation for improving rainfed agriculture in semi-arid areas 12: Integrated farm management practices and up scaling the impact for increased productivity of rainfed systems 13: Challenges of Adoption and Adaptation of Land and Water Management Options in Smallholder Agriculture: Synthesis of Lessons and Experiences 14: Scaling-out Community Watershed Management for Multiple Benefits in Rainfed Areas
