11 Steps to Tackle Effects of Erratic Monsoon on Agriculture

For more than one decade India has been seeing erratic monsoon. And therefore, there is a need to develop climate smart agriculture practices, especially in the rain-fed areas. R&M brings the possible solutions to overcome the challenges of vagaries of monsoon

 

 

Climate change is a potential threat to Indian agriculture. And therefore, there is a need to develop climate smart agriculture practices, especially in the rain-fed areas in the country. There are ways which can help overcome what erratic monsoon could cause.

1. Accurate weather forecast 

There is a need to provide accurate and timely forecast of weather reports so that farmers and concerned agencies can prepare in advance to meet unprecedented challenges. The India Meteorological Department, in collaboration with some agricultural universities, has been broadcasting medium-range weather reports and guides for agricultural and allied activities every Tuesday and Friday. However, the manner in which the reports are being disseminated has been rather ineffective. So, this calls for better channels to make broader dissemination possible in order to reach out to farming communities.

2. Crop Selection 

Crop varieties for dryland and arid regions should be of short duration and drought resistant which can be harvested within rainfall periods and have sufficient residual moisture in soil profile for post-monsoon cropping. Farmers can be encouraged to cultivate millets, sorghums, pulses that are drought hardy in nature and shorter in duration.

3. Cropping systems