Milestones

• Initially, 23 centres i.e. 15 main and 8 subcentres were started and were identified based upon moisture deficit index (MDI). The 15 main centers were: Hisar, Jodhpur, Bellary, Rajkot and Anantapur (MDI -60 to -80%); Solapur, Akola, Kovilpatti and Hyderabad (MDI -40 to -60%); and Bangalore, Varanasi and Indore (MDI -20 to -40%). The remaining 3 centres i.e. Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Dehradun were started as special problem areas. The 8 subcenters were: Bijapur, Udaipur, Ludhiana, Anand and Agra (MDI -40 to -60%); Jhansi, Rewa and Samba (MDI -20-40%). An additional special centre was at IARI, New Delhi (MDI-40 to -60) setup primarily to cater to basic research needs in the fields of physiology and agrometeorology and this centre was subsequently merged with Coordinating Cell at Hyderabad. Bijapur, S.K. Nagar and Arjia were upgraded to main centres in 1984/1985. In 1987, Faizabad was added as subcentre. Dehradun center was discontinued in 1985. Udaipur centre was shifted to Arjia, Anand to Sardarkrishinagar; Ludhiana to Hoshiarpur and then to Ballowal- Saunkhri, and Samba to Rakh Dhiansar and Bhubaneswar to Phulbani.
• In 1975, the scope of the project was enlarged to focus on transfer of technology in innovative dryland technology.
• Another significant milestone was in 1976, the Operational Research Project concept was introduced for technology assessment, refinement and transfer. Thus 8 ORP centres were initiated viz. Ranchi, Bangalore and Hoshiarpur in 1976, Anantapur, Hisar and Arjia in 1984, Solapur in 1985 and Indore in 1986
• In 1985, the Project Directorate/Main centre, Hyderabad was upgraded to Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) in April, 1985 to undertake basic and strategic research while adaptive research continued with AICRPDA centres with Coordinating cell at Hyderabad.
• In 2005, during X Plan, three main centers were started at Jagadalpur, Jorhat and Parbhani. In 2010, Jorhat and Ranchi centres were shifted to Biswnath Chariali and Chianki, respectively.
• In 2016, during XII Plan, five new voluntary centres were started at Darsi (ANGRAU, Andhra Pradesh), Aklera (Agricultural University, Kota, Rajasthan), Munger (BAU, Sabour, Bihar), Raichur (UAS, Raichur, Karnataka), and Imphal (CAU, Manipur).

Project Features

Agroecological Setting of AICRPDA Network CentresPresently, the AICRPDA network has 19 main centers, 3 subcentres, 5 voluntary centres and 8 ORP centres located in 23 SAUs, 1 CAU, 1 CU and 1 technical institute in 17 states and spread in diverse rainfed agro-ecologies. AICRPDA is the only project to have started with a multi-disciplinary team of agronomy, soil science, soil physics, soil & water conservation engineering, plant breeding, agricultural engineering etc. The location-specific research based on natural resource management and socioeconomic status is the hallmark of the programme. The collaborative on-farm technology assessment and refinement as action research through Operational Research Project concept and backup support to the developmental projects goes to the credit of the project. Self-evaluation is the main thrust for obtaining feedback. The domain of some centers also includes the tribal dominated districts. The project is supported by 516 staff (128 scientists, 252 technical and 136 administrative and supporting staff).

Agroecological Setting of AICRPDA Network Centres

Main/Sub-centres - Mandate

• To optimize the use of natural resources in rainfed regions and to develop and promote technologies that lead towards minimizing soil and water loss and degradation of environment
• To evolve simple technologies to substantially increase crop productivity and viability
• To increase stability of crop production over years by providing crop management systems and alternate crop production technologies matching weather aberrations
• To evaluate the traditional farming systems and study transfer ability of improved dryland technology to farmers’ fields

ORP  Centres - Mandate

• To understand the strength and weakness in the traditional system of dryland agriculture
• To evaluate the performance of each component of dryland technology under farmers management conditions
• To provide feedback to research stations for refinement of non-adopted recommendations

Research Focus

The initial Indo-CIDA research at AICRPDA Centres was in three phases i.e 1970-75, 1976-1982 and 1982-1987. During last 45 years, the evolution of location-specific experiments at netwrok centres has been: Low monetary inputs for higher crop productivity (1972 - 80); Farm Mechanization for energy use efficiency (since 1973); Sustainable cropping systems for risk resilience and resource use efficiency (1972 onwards); Contingency crop Planning to cope with weather aberrations (1976 onwards); Evaluation of improved varieties for drought tolerance and compatibility in cropping systems (1974 onwards); Rainwater management for higher water productivity (1976 onwards); Conservation tillage systems for resource use efficiency (1985 onwards); Alternate Land Use / crop diversification for risk resilience (1981 onwards); Permanent Manurial Trials at 18 Centres for efficient carbon and nutrient balance and optimization (1984 onwards) and PMTs as benchmark experiments served as platforms for developing carbon sequestration strategies and carbon foot prints in rainfed production systems; Tillage and nutrient management at 19 Centres for efficient resource and energy use (2000 onwards) which formed basis for development of resource conservation practices, soil quality indicators and further for Conservation Agriculture research initiative in rainfed production systems under ICAR-CRP; Integrated Farming Systems for higher income and improved livelihoods (2007 onwards); Climate Resilient Rainfed Agriculture through Real Time Contingency Plan Implementation (2011 onwards); AICRPDA collaborative research continued with SAUs, national schemes/institutes (CRIDA, ICAR institutes, ICAR-AP Cess, AICRPs on Agrometeorlogy, Agroforestry, IFS and crop AICRPs, DST, CSIR, NOVOD, MoWR, MoRD, NABARD, NARP, NATP, NAIP, NICRA etc.) and International programmes (ICRISAT, ILRI, ACIAR, ICARDA, PPIC, DFID, UNDP etc.)

National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)

To deal with climate variability in the right earnest, the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) program was initiated at 23 centers of AICRPDA in 2010-11, both on-station and on-farm. The real-time contingency plan (RTCP) is conceptualized with two pronged approach i.e. preparedness and real time contingency measures under on-farm situations to cope with weather aberrations such as delayed onset of monsoon, early/midseason/terminal droughts, excess rainfall events and flash floods. The on-farm demonstrations are being implemented in more than 3000 farmers’ fields in 35 adopted villages in 24 districts across 15 states.

Tribal-Sub-Plan Programme (TSP)

The Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) program is also being implemented by eight AICRPDA centres viz., Arjia, Chianki, Indore, Phulbani, Biswanath Chariali, Jagdalpur, SK Nagar and Solapur in 76 villages covering 11 districts in Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. The focus is on improving the productivity, profitability and enhancing knowledge base and livelihoods of tribal farmers through demonstration of improved rainfed technologies, creation of physical assets, livelihood interventions and capacity building programmes.

Significant Achievements

• Developed location specific in situ moisture conservation practices for diverse rainfed agro-ecologies i.e rainfall (<500 mm to >1500 mm) and soil types (Entisols, Inceptisols, Vertisols, Alfisols, Aridisols).
• Characterized rainwater harvesting of potential zones in the agroclimatic domains of AICRPDA centres. Based on catchment- storage-command area relationship, standardized rainwater harvesting structures viz. farm pond and other WHSs for diverse rainfed agro- ecologies.
• Developed location-specific groundwater recharging techniques/ models with efficient filtering mechanisms (at Parbhani, Vijayapura, Bijapur), Bengaluru, and Rajkot centres).
• Identified efficient and risk resilient and productive intercropping/strip cropping systems for diverse rainfed agro-ecologies. Additive series in intercropping systems was found to be most successful.
• Identified double cropping systems for high rainfall zones with more than 750 mm rainfall and a soil moisture storage capacity of more than 200 mm.
• Contingency plans, for each region, were a conceptual approach unique from AICRPDA project in developing location specific contingent crop strategies. AICRPDA pioneered in coining contingent crop planning and mid-season correction. Identified 5 weather aberrations: i) delayed on set of monsoon; ii) early withdrawal of monsoon; iii) intermittent dry spells of various durations; iv) prolonged dry spells causing changes in the strategy; and v) prolonged monsoon.
• Conceptualized and implemented Real-Time Contingency Plan implementation as two pronged approach i.e. preparedness and real-time measures.
• Screening of large pool of germplasm of various rainfed crops resulted in fast track release of drought tolerant varieties at SAUs/crop AICRPs. Identified suitable crops and varieties to cope with delayed onset of monsoon and suitable for sole, inter/double cropping systems.
• INM studies have established that 50% of recommended N through organic sources and 50% of N through inorganic sources along with micronutrients and biofertilizers augmented overall nutrient turnovers for soil fertility management.
• Carbon sequestration strategies identified for diverse rainfed production systems: The soil organic carbon content increased from 0.23% to 0.39% at Anantapur, 0.23% to 0.39% at Bangalore, 0.36% to 0.56% at Solapur, 0.15% to 0.24% at SK Nagar, 0.35% to 0.53% at Indore and 0.24% to 0.34% at Varanasi due to different INM practices. The carbon footprints (Tg CE/ha/year) were higher in cereals cropping systems followed by oilseed and pulse systems.
• The quantified tank silt application enhanced yield of rained crops upto 150% at Anantapur, Arjia, Bangalore, and Solapur centres. A DSS was developed for quantified tank silt application ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
• Identified key soil quality indicators in diverse rainfed agroecologies: OC, available N, P, K, S, exchangeable Ca, Mg and DTPA extractable Zn as key indicators in most of the rainfed soils. Among the set of biological and physical soil quality indicators, dehydrogenase activity, microbial biomass carbon and labile carbon, bulk density and mean weight diameter (soil structure) figured as predominant indicators.
• Low till farming strategies for rained production systems indicated that low tillage + herbicide application was found to be superior for maize under dry sub- humid Inceptisols of Ballowal Saunkhri; soybean under moist subhumid Vertisols of Rewa; and cluster bean under semi- arid Aridisols of SK Nagar. Low tillage + hand weeding was found to be superior for pearlmillet under semi-arid Aridisols of Hisar; and groundnut under semi-arid Alfisols of Anantapur.
• Mechanization of drylands reduced 20-59% operational cost, saved 45- 64% in operation time, saved 31-38% seed & fertilizer and increased productivity of dryland crops by 18 to 53%.
• Promising alternate land use systems i.e. agrisilviculture, agrihorticulture and silvipasture systems identified suitable to different rainfall zones and soil types.

Nomograms/Theme maps/Data base developed

• The rainfall variability and seasonal drought characterized.
• Delineated 132 soil-sugb groups with 41 diverse land uses. Developed a new concept and methodology of delienating microwatershed in to Land Management Units for sustainable land management in rainfed areas.
• Prepared drought management plans for various drought situations.
• Developed sustainability yield index (SYI) as a measuring index for rating and selection of treatment interventions in rainfed areas.
• Soil organic carbon stocks in rainfed production systems aried in Vertisols, Inceptisols, Alfisols, Aridisols in decreasing order. Inorganic C and total C stocks were larger in Vertisols than in other soil types. Among the production systems, soybean, maize and groundnut based systems showed greater organic C stocks than other production systems. Besides, NPK, deficiency of S, Mg, and Ca, ZN, B, Fe are identified in soils of rained production systems.
• Developed improved agronomic practices for rainfed crops. Identified District-wise promising rained technologies for 165 rained districts based on yield gap analysis.
• Identified cropping systems based on length of growing period. Delineated potential areas for inter/double cropping systems.
• 43 diversification modules/farming systems were identified. A 3 x 3 productive farming systems matrix developed based on LCC, rainall and soil types.
• Delineated Rained Agro-economic zones for developing agri-entrepreneurship network with crop diversification and value addition.

AICRPDA : Impact on Rainfed Agriculture Research, Education and Development

• The outcome of AICRPDA research contributed to formulation and implementation of research projects in National Agriculture Research System particularly soil and water conservation and watershed research, ICAR-adohoc projects, NATP-Production systems, IVALP-TAR and Mission Mode research, NAIP, carbon sequestration, soil quality, climate resilient agriculture, conservation agriculture etc. Further, the experiments at the centres have been the basis for MSc and PhD research and award of many degrees particularly in agronomy, soil science, soil and water conservation engineering, plant breeding, plant physiology etc.
• The scientists at the centres are also faculty for undergraduate and PG (MSc and Ph.D), thus contributed to education particularly in the disciplines of agronomy, soil science, soil and water conservation engineering, and plant breeding.
• Over a period of 45 years, the project contributed in rainfed agriculture development through policy and implementation of various National programmes/schemes which impacted in achieving stability in productivity and profitability in rainfed areas and such major programmes are:In 1974, Integrated Dryland Development Project; In 1977, Desert Development Programme.
•  In 1974, Integrated Dryland Development Project; In 1977, Desert Development Programme.
• In 1982, Special programme on Integrated Watershed Management.1984, ICAR-Model Watershed Progarmme 30 model watersheds (500-1000ha) in 13 states were assigned to AICRPDA for technological backstopping.
• In 1986, with the success of Model watersheds, GoI launched National Watershed Development Programmes in Rainfed Area (NWDPRA) in 15 states.
• Drought monitoring and evaluation of drought impacts in various regions of the country.
• Agro-advisories in India with AICRPAM and SAUs.
• Technical backstopping for implementation and assessment of MGNREGA.
• With its diverse scientific cadre, AICRPDA has successfully contributed to the development of policy instruments in rain-water harvesting and management contributed to policy on farm pond/percolation tanks in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka.
• AICRPDA is closely associated with the Central and State ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Water Resources and other relevant Departments directly or indirectly are associated with rainfed agriculture.
• Integration of doable rainfed technologies in action plans of various states under PMKSY, NMSA, MGNREGA, IWMP, RKVY, NFSM, NHM; NLM, Dryland Farming Missions of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Comprehensive District Agriculture/Land Development Plans of various districts in the country.
• Technology backstopping to preparation of District Agriculture Contingency Plans for 619 districts in the country. Contributed to preparation of Compensatory rabi production plans during 2014, 2015 and 2016.
• Contributed to Revision of National Drought Manual, 2016 by DAC, MoA, GoI.

An appreciation of work

• ICAR Chaudhury Devi Lal Outstanding AICRP Award to AICRPDA in 2009.

• Groundwater Augmentation Award,MoWR, GoI (2011).
• Five ICAR Vasantarao Naik Awards to AICRPDA centres (Bangalore centre in 2014; Arjia in 2011; Bijapur in 2003; Ananatapuramu in 1998; Solapur in 1994).
• Two ICAR Best Institute Awards to CRIDA in 1995 and 2014.

Publications

• Research Papers : 1606
• Bulletins/Book chapters : 636
• Popular articles : 733

Linkages

Over the years, AICRPDA Network Centres developed linkages with various state, national and international institutes/agencies for on station and on-farm research, technology refinement/ up scaling/ demonstrations, scientific and technical support, agro-advisories, teaching, and rainfed agriculture development programes.

Road Map for the Future

• Location specific research with an aim to more crop and income per drop of rainwater for achieving stability and climate resilient rainfed agriculture. The core programmes are:
• Catchment-storage-command area relationship for enhancing water productivity, and packaging of  farm pond technology
• Agroecology- specific integrated rainfed farming systems for enhanced livelihoods
• Developing alternative landuse systems
• Cropping systems management strategies with higher resource and input  use efficiency
• Real-time contingency plan measures through Preparedness and implementation on realtime basis
• Conservation agriculture strategies in rainfed production systems
• Evaluation of elite germplasm for drought tolerance, climate resilience, intercropping, crop diversification etc.
• Nutrient management in conjunction with rainwater conservation and improved crop production techniques
• Small farm mechanization
• Assessment of water balance, nutrient balance, carbon balance and energy balance apart from economic viability in all research programmes
• GHG emission reduction strategies