Sivakumar,K.M, Alagesan, V and Ramachandran
Owing to the minimal rainfall, poor soil fertility and adverse climatic conditions drylands of this zone become more and more of a desert. Farming under these circumstances appears to be really a gamble for the farmers, who have a chance of sowing/planting only when the raingod shows mercy
Indian agriculture is mostly characterised by monsoon based dryfarming leaving no option to the farmers other than dry farming. More than 65 per cent of the cultivated area in the country fall under this category contributing 40 per cent of the total grain production.
The North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu comprising three district namely Dharmapuri, Salem (excluding Tiruchengodu taluk) and Namakkal (including Perambalur taluk), has an uniqaue feature of having semi arid hot climate, undulated topography, red non calcareous coarse shallow soil with poor soil fertility and water retention capacity, low rainfall with erratic distribution. Thus the crisis facing dryland agriculture has been gradually assuming alarming dismension.
Based on the available particulars on weather parameters, soil type, ground water potential and land area suitable for dry farming, a possible land use plan has been proposed to the dryland farmers of this zone.
Prevailing scenario
The land utilisation pattern of the North Western Zone reveals that extent of drylands and wastelands comprising more than 34.36 per cent of the total geographical area. If proper care is not taken, the rate of increase in the degradation of cultivable land will result in increased pressure on the farmers to produce food for the ever increasing population.
Of the 840 thousand hectares of net sown area, 608 thousand hectares (72.38%) is under dryland conditions. These lands are marginal where agriculture is practiced only when the rainfall and other climate factors are conducive. Farmers of this zone, cultivate mostly crops like sorghum, samai, horsegra,groundnut etc and record very low harvest because of the existing condition. The harvested produce will be not even enough to his own domestic needs, in most caeses.
Potentials
Eventhough several hurdles are imposed on the dryland farmers, still there is ray of hope of thrive better in the farming activities. First the farmers can think of establishing fruit crops such as mango, ber, west indian cherry, tamarind etc and secondly they can go for agroforestry practices. In case of Dharmapuri dt, establishing mango orchards in the drylands is a success story. During 1993-94, the area under mango cultivation was only 19,540 ha whereas the current area of mango cultivation is more than 32,450 ha. Within a span of 5 years the increase is 13,040 ha thatto 95 per cent of the newly established orchards are coming under dryland condition. A sudden leap in the area under orchards and groves helps in bringing more rainfall with increased rainy days to the district for the past few years. The farmers make use of the rainfall for growing intercrops in the orchards and thereby they get supplementary farm income.
Mainly sorghum, samai and pulses are cultivatd as intercrops in young mango orchards. So in addition to providing extra farm income to the farmers. It is used as cattle feed and cultivation of pulses and fodder legumes inturn enhances the soil fertility status. The litter and other leafy materials fall on the earth, add to the nutrient status of the soil which helps in the growth of young orchards. The cultivation of forage crops can be used for feeding livestock-an agriculture allied activity and plays a vital role in reducing soil erosion and conservation of soil moisture.
Like any other fruit tree crops, tamarind can also grown in the dry regions receiving scanty rainfall. In the beginning of 1993-94, area under tamarind in the North Western Zone was only 1791 ha but now it is slowly increased to 2270 ha. In the early stages of tamarind groves, as usual they can plan for intercropping with pulses, forage crops, cereals etc.
Agroforestry is gaining momentum recently in this zone. Area under forests in the zone is 535.29 thousand ha and its share is 25 per cent of the total area under forests in Tamil nadu. Since most of the dry lands get low rainfall and in these risky conditions, agroforestry practices appear to be a possible solution.
Bund planting of common tree species of South India like thespesia, delonix, albizzia, neem and teak, border planting of subabul, nuna, teak, tamarind albizzia, vadanarayan and eucalyptus can be thought of.
The agroforestry practices in drylands improve the ecological status of the area through the trees raised alongwith the agriculture, pastoral and other vegetation grown in the area. The total annual yield for tree and supplementary crop combination is definetely higher than that of yield obtained from dryland crops alone. Since agroforestry requires low initial cost, ensures seasonal income through intercropping and supplies different kinds of raw materials to support cottage industries, tree keeping in the drylands will certainly offset the risky farming under dryland conditions.
Some of the agroforestry practices already practiced in the North Western Zone are
* bund planting of thespesia, albizzia, neem and teak
* block plantation of educalyptus, teak and tamarind
* intercropping of agriculture crops
* intercropping with forage crops
The productivity under agroforestry system remains sustainable in the long run and thereby it reduces soil and water erosion in the zone.
Sivakumar,K.M, Alagesan, V and Ramachandran
Regional Research Station
(Tamil Nadu Agriculture University)
Paiyur 635 112. Dharmapuri Dt
