ACHARYA N.G.RANGA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY, AICRIPDA, AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH STATION,ANANTHAPURAMU
Abstract
Not AvailableThe global rainfed crop lands were estimated at 1.132 billion hectares at the end of the
last millennium. This is 2.78 times the net irrigated areas (407 m ha) of the world. Rainfed
agro-ecosystems occupy a considerable place in Indian agriculture too, covering 80 million ha,
in arid, semi-arid and sub-humid climatic zones; constituting nearly 58% of the net cultivated
area. Rainfed regions support 60% of livestock, 40% of human population and contribute
40% of food grains and several special attribute commodities. Rainfed agro ecologies are
complex, diverse, fragile, risky, under invested and require regionally differentiated investments
and management strategies. Achieving high production potential is difficult in these
rainfed areas due to vagaries of rainfall.Not Availabl