India’s Drylands Face Growing Water Stress, What Can Farmers Do Differently?

A large part of Indian agriculture depends on rainfall rather than assured irrigation. These dryland areas are now facing greater pressure from uncertain rainfall, soil degradation and groundwater stress. A Global Dryland Congress begins in New Delhi on September 10 to discuss ways to make dryland farming more resilient.

Why Dryland Farming Matters

Drylands cover about 60–68% of India’s net sown area and contribute around 40–44% of the country’s food-grain production. They are especially important for crops such as millets, pulses and oilseeds, which support millions of farming households.

The challenge is that rainfall in these areas is often uncertain. A long dry spell during crop growth can reduce yields, while intense rainfall can cause runoff instead of soaking into the soil. Farmers therefore face both water shortage and poor water retention.

Groundwater adds another concern. In some areas, intensive pumping has caused water tables to decline by one to three metres a year. This increases the cost of irrigation and makes farming more dependent on electricity, diesel or increasingly deeper wells.

One practical response is to capture more rainfall when it arrives. Farm ponds, check dams, contour bunds and small water-harvesting structures can slow runoff and allow more water to enter the soil or remain available for later use.

These structures work best when they match local soil, slope and rainfall conditions. Farmers should not construct water-harvesting structures without technical advice. Poorly located structures may provide little benefit or even interfere with drainage and farm operations.

Soil moisture conservation is equally important. Mulching, suitable crop residues, organic matter and reduced soil disturbance can help limit evaporation and improve the soil’s ability to hold available water. These practices can be especially useful during short dry periods.

Crop Choice Can Reduce Risk

Farmers in dryland areas should also reconsider crop choices when water availability changes. A crop that performs well under reliable irrigation may carry much greater risk when rainfall becomes uncertain.

Millets, pulses and oilseeds are important options in many dryland regions. But farmers should not switch crops based only on general claims about drought tolerance. Local soil conditions, rainfall, market demand and recommended varieties must be considered before changing the crop.

Short-duration varieties can also help in areas where the effective rainy season is becoming shorter. They may allow crops to complete important growth stages before severe moisture stress develops. Farmers should ask their Krishi Vigyan Kendra about varieties tested for their district.

A dryland farm does not have to depend entirely on one crop. Farmers can combine crops with livestock, poultry, horticulture, beekeeping or other suitable activities. This can spread income risk when one part of the farm is affected by poor rainfall.

Integrated farming can also make better use of farm resources. Crop residues can provide livestock feed, while livestock manure can contribute organic matter to fields. Farmers need to choose combinations that match their land, labour, water and available markets.

The goal is not to add more activities simply for the sake of diversification. Each activity should have a clear role and should not create excessive costs or labour demands for the household.

Better Weather Information Can Help

Farmers also need timely weather information. In dryland areas, a decision made a few days earlier can sometimes prevent a larger loss. Weather forecasts can guide sowing, irrigation, fertiliser application, spraying and harvesting.

Farmers should pay attention to rainfall forecasts around sowing. If useful rain is expected, it may be possible to avoid unnecessary irrigation. If a dry spell is forecast, farmers can prioritise available water for crops at sensitive growth stages.

Local advisories are more useful than broad national forecasts. Farmers should follow information from KVKs, agriculture departments and recognised weather services and combine it with what they observe in their own fields.

Technology does not have to mean expensive machinery. Simple soil-moisture tools, weather advisories, mobile applications and improved seed can all support better decisions.

More advanced systems are also being developed. India is now using sensors, remote sensing, drones, satellites and artificial intelligence for agricultural monitoring. Such tools can help identify crop stress and provide information that farmers and officials can use for better planning.

But technology should be affordable and locally supported. A system that requires expensive equipment or specialist maintenance may not be practical for a small rain-fed farm.

What Farmers Can Do Before the Next Season

Farmers can start by assessing how much water their farm actually receives and how long that water remains available. They can then identify crops and varieties that fit those conditions rather than choosing crops based only on past yields.

A simple farm plan can include a water budget, crop diversification, soil-moisture conservation, suitable seed and an emergency option for a prolonged dry spell. Farmers should also identify where livestock or other activities could provide income if crops fail.

The Global Dryland Congress being held in New Delhi from September 10 to 12 is bringing together researchers, policymakers and farming experts to discuss these challenges. Its focus includes climate variability, land degradation, water scarcity and changing markets.

Dryland farming will remain important to India’s food system. The challenge is to produce more reliably without depending on ever-increasing groundwater extraction. For farmers, that means treating every drop of rain as a resource, protecting soil moisture and choosing crops according to the water actually available.

Climate resilience will not come from one machine, seed or farming method. It will come from combining better water management, suitable crops, healthy soil, weather information and diversified farm income. For dryland farmers, these changes can reduce risk while keeping agriculture viable under increasingly uncertain weather.