Year: 2024 | Month: September | Volume 17 | Issue 3
Agriculture Based Livelihood Systems in Drylands - Challenges and Strategies
CH. Mounika Leena
Leela Krishna Chaithanya
Subhash Kumar Saurav
Roopika Sajjan
DOI:10.30954/0974-1712.03.2024.10
Abstract:
Dryland agriculture is a complicated and uncertain system made up of crops, horticulture trees, livestock and vegetables. India’s total geographic area is 328 million hectares, of which 228 million hectares are dryland (UNCCD). A livelihood system is the total combination of activities undertaken by a typical household to ensure a living. Most rural households have several income earners, who pursue a combination of crop and livestock, farm, off-farm and non-farm activities in different seasons to earn
a living. Agriculture based livelihood activities occupy a very significant position in the economic development of the Indian economy as agriculture sector has a high employment potential. This paper emphasises the challenges and strategies in agriculture-based livelihood systems in drylands. According to the findings, the primary challenges are land degradation, climate risk, low animal productivity, and output variability. The most important strategies for agriculture-based livelihood systems in drylands
are to promote integrated farming systems, boost allied agricultural activities, increase income through dryland horticulture, and integrate on-farm and off-farm activities. In order to promote equitable development, dryland areas require “a paradigm shift from a ‘commodity-centred Green revolution’ to an ‘Integrated resource management and farming Systems-centred rainbow revolution’. Farming areas in dry regions require much more attention.
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