Question

How does the drought-prone area programme help in the development of dryland agriculture in India?

Answer 1

This programme helps dryland farming through the following measures:

• Enhancing Soil Moisture: Building check dams and percolation tanks recharge the groundwater table, thereby securing essential soil moisture for crops in dry regions.
• Promoting Drought-Resistant Crops: It trains farmers in scientific dryland farming techniques and introduces hardy, low-water crops such as Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi.
• Preventing Land Degradation: Soil conservation and tree plantation control wind erosion, preventing fertile topsoil from blowing away.
• Providing Alternative Livelihoods: Developing community pastures enables dryland farmers to expand into dairy farming and animal husbandry, reducing their dependence on unpredictable rainfall.