Question.
Write short notes on the drought-prone area program. How does this program help in the development of dryland agriculture in India?
(NCERT class 12 geography, India People and Economy, Chapter-9: Planning and Sustainable Development in the Indian Context)
Answer.
About drought areas in India:
- Drought-prone areas in India include most of Rajasthan and Gujarat, western Madhya Pradesh, the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, Rayalaseema and Telangana plateau of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana plateau of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka plateau, and highlands of interior Tamil Nadu.
- The Planning Commission of India (1967) identified 67 districts (wholly or partly) of the country as drought districts and drought-prone area programs were implemented in these districts.
About drought-prone area program:
- Drought prone area program is an example of targeted area planning.
- The Drought Prone Area Development Program was initiated during the Fourth Five Year Plan(1969-74).
- The main objective of the program was to provide employment and reduce the effects of drought.
- In the Drought Prone Areas program, major emphasis was placed on irrigation projects, land development programs, afforestation, pasture development, and the creation of basic rural infrastructures such as roads, markets, credit, electricity, and services.
Evaluation of drought-prone area program:
- The National Committee on Development of Backward Areas (NCDB) reviewed the performance of the Drought Prone Areas Programme.
- In his major finding, it was observed that the program benefited agriculture and allied activities in a big way, with a major focus on the restoration of ecological balance between water, soil, plants, and human and animal populations.
About dryland agriculture,
- Dry land agriculture is done in drought-prone areas and it is totally dependent on rainwater for growing the crops.
- Many soil moisture conservation practices are followed in dry land agriculture such as growing drought-resistant crops like ragi, Bajra, etc. and sowing immediately after plowing the field.
Drought-prone area programs helped in the development of dry-land agriculture in India in the following ways;
- Under drought-prone area programs, irrigation infrastructure such as canals, tanks, lakes, and check-dams was built in drought-prone areas, as a result, it increased the soil moisture for crops.
- Earlier crops get fail when there was no rain on time; drought-prone areas increased the availability of water and water harvesting facilities, as a result, it reduced crop failure and also increases crop productivity.
- Drought-prone area programs helped re-balancing the environment through afforestation as a result soil erosion get reduced which helped in dryland agriculture.
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