Dry land techniques for vegetable production in India-A review

Dry farming is cultivation of crops in regions with annual rainfall less than 750 mm. Dry land farming techniques includes Water conservation, increase Water absorption, reducing the loss of soil moisture, bunding and terracing, contour bunding, mulching, intercropping, precision agriculture, use of drip irrigation facilities and use of growth regulators and chemicals. Choice of varieties is important. Varieties which have proven excellent in irrigated areas are generally unsuited for dry land conditions. Many attempts at dry land farming have failed, largely due to lack of recognition of the requirements for the variety selection.Variety requirements for dry farming are short-stemmed varieties with limited leaf surface minimize transpiration, deep, prolific root systems enhance moisture utilization and quick-maturing varieties are important in order that the crop may develop prior to the hottest and driest part of the year and mature before moisture supplies are completely exhausted. Even after utilizing all the available water resources, about 50% of the cultivable area will still depends on rains. Therefore, the agricultural scientists, policy makers and farmers should appropriately realize the magnitude of role that rainfed agriculture or dryland farming can play. Vegetable cultivation under rainfed condition is not much popular while comparing to other systems of cultivation. However, it solves the problem of rural poverty and malnutrition. Therefore, much concentration should be given for dry land rainfed vegetable farming by efficient adoption of techniques.