How application of sceintific knowledge has made agriculture possible in arid zone dry land and hill?
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In the arid zone there is considerable scope for growing fruit trees like ber and pomegranate and fuel wood yielding trees like Acacia (Kikar), Prosopis (Mosquite) and Eucalyptus (Safeda). In such areas, large scale planting of shelter belts will minimize soil erosion caused by wind. It will also help in the establishment of pastures and grazing lands. Later on this land can be used for growing pearlmillet and mungbean.
Since water is a limiting factor in drylands, as much run off as posssible should be collected in community owned ponds, so that the crops can be gived life saving irrigation. In dry lands with red soil, deep ploughing helps in conserving water. In black soils, sowing two crops at a time is possible with surface drainage and good water management.Leaves and crop management, when mixed with soil improve its texture and water holding capacity. If crops like pigeonpea and castor have deep roots, are cultivated in these regions, the physical condition of the soil improves further, as the roots of these crops add organic matter.Now that varieties of sorghum, millets, sunflower, safflower, mustard, groundnut various pulses and cotton are available which grow within a shorter time and can withstand scarcity of water, it is possible to diversify what grows in the dry lands. A variety of crops and cropping patterns allow the farmer to make a proper choice of what to grow in different climate and soil types.There is a solution to the agricultural problem of the hilly regions. The upper regions of the hills are devoted to forestry. The next zone is developed for growing fruit trees, perennial fodder grass and legumes. The roots of legumes fix nitrogen and improve the soil. In the third zone, a mix of crops are raised on terraces constructed with low cost implements. Earthen dams are constructed with locally available material. The collect enough water to be utilized for irrigation and fish culture. Polutry, piggery, bee-keeping mushroom cultivation and related activities create a self sustaining, complete farming system that perfectly blends with the ecosystem.
Since water is a limiting factor in drylands, as much run off as posssible should be collected in community owned ponds, so that the crops can be gived life saving irrigation. In dry lands with red soil, deep ploughing helps in conserving water. In black soils, sowing two crops at a time is possible with surface drainage and good water management.Leaves and crop management, when mixed with soil improve its texture and water holding capacity. If crops like pigeonpea and castor have deep roots, are cultivated in these regions, the physical condition of the soil improves further, as the roots of these crops add organic matter.Now that varieties of sorghum, millets, sunflower, safflower, mustard, groundnut various pulses and cotton are available which grow within a shorter time and can withstand scarcity of water, it is possible to diversify what grows in the dry lands. A variety of crops and cropping patterns allow the farmer to make a proper choice of what to grow in different climate and soil types.There is a solution to the agricultural problem of the hilly regions. The upper regions of the hills are devoted to forestry. The next zone is developed for growing fruit trees, perennial fodder grass and legumes. The roots of legumes fix nitrogen and improve the soil. In the third zone, a mix of crops are raised on terraces constructed with low cost implements. Earthen dams are constructed with locally available material. The collect enough water to be utilized for irrigation and fish culture. Polutry, piggery, bee-keeping mushroom cultivation and related activities create a self sustaining, complete farming system that perfectly blends with the ecosystem.
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