Rainfed Agriculture: Unlocking the PotentialSuhas Pralhad Wani, Johan Rockström, Theib Yousef Oweis Rainfed 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 analyzed 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. |
Contents
1 Rainfed Agriculture Past Trends and Future Prospects | 1 |
2 Zooming in on the Global Hotspots of Rainfed Agriculture in Waterconstrained Environments | 36 |
3 Water Resource Implications of Upgrading Rainfed Agriculture Focus on Green and Blue Water Tradeoffs | 44 |
Indian Experience | 54 |
5 Determinants of Crop Growth and Yield in a Changing Climate | 73 |
Modelling of Achievable Yields at Farm Level | 81 |
7 Can Rainfed Agriculture Feed the World? An Assessment of Potentials and Risk | 124 |
8 Opportunities for Improving Crop Water Productivity through Genetic Enhancement of Dryland Crops | 133 |
9 Water Harvesting for Improved Rainfed Agriculture in the Dry Environments | 164 |
10 Supplemental Irrigation for Improved Rainfed Agriculture in WANA Region | 182 |
11 Opportunities for Water Harvesting and Supplemental Irrigation for Improving Rainfed Agriculture in Semiarid Areas | 197 |
12 Integrated Farm Management Practices and Upscaling the Impact for Increased Productivity of Rainfed Systems | 222 |
Synthesis of Lessons and Experiences | 258 |
14 Scalingout Community Watershed Management for Multiple Benefits in Rainfed Areas | 276 |
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Other editions - View all
Rainfed Agriculture: Unlocking the Potential Suhas Pralhad Wani,Johan Rockström,Theib Yousef Oweis Limited preview - 2009 |
Rainfed Agriculture: Unlocking the Potential Suhas Pralhad Wani,Johan Rockström,Theib Yousef Oweis No preview available - 2009 |
Common terms and phrases
adoption Africa Agricultural Research alfisols Andhra Pradesh approach APRLP arid Asia benefits catchment chickpea climate change crop production crop yields Crops Research Institute cultivars drought drought tolerance Dry Areas dryland economic ecosystems enhance environments farm farmers fertility genetic genotypes global grain yield green water groundnut groundwater ICARDA ICRISAT impact improved income increase India International Crops Research investments Karnataka land and water land degradation livelihoods Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra maize ment million nutrient options Oweis Patancheru pearl millet pigeonpea plant potential yields poverty rainfall rainfed agriculture rainfed areas rainwater rainwater harvesting Rajasthan reduced regions resource management Rockström run-off rural season semi-arid Semi-Arid Tropics ICRISAT Shiferaw simulated Singh sodic soil and water sorghum soybean Sreedevi strategies supplemental irrigation sustainable Syria t/ha tank technologies Thailand traits vertisols WANA Wani water harvesting water management water productivity water resources water use efficiency watershed watershed development watershed programmes wheat yield gap