AGRICULTURAL REGIONS

Dr. R.S. Randhawa (Ex. Director of Indian Council of Agriculture Research) has divided India into 5 agricultural regions in his book Agriculture and Animal Husbandry in India. The criteria of the his divisions are:1. 2. 3. Rainfall Temperature Crop Combination

1. Himalaya Agriculture Region subdivided 2 parts 1. Western Himalayan Agriculture Region 2. Eastern Himalayan Agriculture Region 1. Western Himalayan Agriculture Region Is situated in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand in the Western Himalaya. The Average temperature of summer is about 150 C while average temperature of winter is 00 C. Annual precipitation 16 W. part of West Bengal + North Eastern states + Sikkim. 1. Varies between 150 cms to 10 cms. Apple, saffron, walnut, chest nut, plums are the major product while maize, rice and barley are grown in lower valleys. The Eastern Himalayan agriculture region has about 250C summer temperature, 150 C average winter temperature, rain fall varies between 200600 cms. Rice is the dominating crop. While rice + Maize are grown in the Brahamaputra valley. 2. Eastern Humid Rice Dominating Region Includes Eastern part of the county in the east of 100 cms 180 the line crossing eastern coastal states, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Bihar and eastern U.P. The average summer temperature about 350 C about winter temperature 220 C, average annual rainfall varies between 100 150 cms. Rice is the dominating crop, jute, sugarcane, Maize are the other crops. 3. Western dry wheat dominating region Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, North part of Gujarat, West U.P. and North West part of M.P. average summer temperature about 430 C + average winter temperature 100 C rainfall varies between 100-25 cms, wheat is dominating crop. Cotton, soya between, mustard other crops. 4. Semi Arid Peninsular Millet Growing Region and cover peninsular India covering Maharastra, M.P., Karnataka, Interior A.P. and Interior of Tamil Nadu average temperature 200 C, while 50 cms in average rainfall, Ragi, Jowar, Bajra are the imp crops. 5. Per Humid Malabar Coconut Growing Region Malabar coast of Kerala and part of Karnataka. Average temperature 300C. Average annual rainfall 250 cms. Coconut is the dominating crop, rubber and spices, tea supporting crops.

Agro-Climate Regions of India

The agro-climatic regions were demarcated to gain the enhanced agricultural productivity through the suitable cropping congenial to the temp, rainfall, humidity, drainage and soil types conditions. The basic concept of agro climatic divisions was desired sat the planning regions produced by an Indian Economist V. Nath in 1951.In 1964 the planning commission of government of India adopted the scheme for agro climatic regions. There one 15 agro-climatic regions in India. 1. Western Himalayan Agro-Climatic Regions Includes J & K. M.P. and Uttrakhand over 245,000 sq kms area. River Indus, River Sutluj, River Jhelum, River Chenab, River Ravi, River Bhagirati, River Alaknanda, River Yamuna and Hed Ward of River Ganga are the major drainage. Average summer temp rain between 30-250 C, the average water temp varies between 5 to -50 C, white average annual rainfall varies between 100 cms to 200 cms. About 45% land is covered by forest and 18% under agriculture. They have orchards rice and maize. 2. Eastern Himalayan Regions Covers Sikkim, Bhutan, Assam Arunachal and Hills of West Bengal, River Tista, River Sankash, River Manar, River Kamang, River Sobansiri, River Debang and River Dihang are the major drainage, Average summer temp 20-300 C, Average winter temp 12-200 C. Rain fall 135-400 cms. 25% forest 19 of land under agriculture. Jed is the principle crop total area 274,000 sq kms. 3. Sutlej Pain and Upper Ganga Valley Region Includes Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh and Western U.P. River Sutlej, River Beas, River Ganga and River Yamuna are the major drainage. Average summer temp 26-420 C average winter temp 7-180 C. Average rainfall 30 to 125 cms 75% land under agricultures and 4.5% land under forest wheat is the dominating crop. 143000 sq kms. 4. Middle Ganga Valley Region. Covers eastern U.P. and Bihar, River Ganga, Ghagra, River Rosi and River Sone are the major drainage 164,000 sq kms total area. Average summer temp 26-410 C winter temp 9-240 C. 100-200 cms average annual rain fall 63% land is under agriculture and 8% under forest crop wheat and rice. 5. Lower Ganga Valley and Delta Region Covers plain of West Bengal, parts of Jharkhand, Ganga sagar and delta region area 69,000 sq kms. Average summer temp. 26-400 C, Average winter temp 10-240 C average rain fall 80-150 cms. 65% land under cultivation and 11% under forest R. Damodar, R. Hoogli are the major drainage. Rice and Jute are the major crops.

6. Trans Ganga Plain Region Covers slopes of Siwalik valleys, Bhabar and Tarai region , 116,000 sq kms area. Ram Ganga, Gomti, Ganga and Yamuna are the major drainage, average summer temp 26-340 C, average winter temp 7-230 C rainfall 80-1500 cms. 81% land under agriculture 3-2% forest, crops rice, maize, sugarcane. 7. Eastern Plateau and Hills Region Covers hills and plateaus of the Far East India Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizo, Manipur, Wagoland and Brahmaputra Valley 395,000 sq kms area. River Dhansiri, River Gomati, River Surma are the major drainage. Average summer temp 24-340 C. Average winter 150 to 220 C rainfall 200-400 cms. 35% land under cultivation and 35% under forest. Maize, Rice, Tea, are the major crops. This region is affected by Jhum (shifting) cultivation. 8. Central Plateau and Hills Region Covers plateau of Chota Nagpur, Chattisgarh, Bagelkhand Telangana and Bastar Plateau. 37000 sq kms area River Damodar, River Mahanadi, major drainage. Average summer temp 267400 C, Average winter temp 7-240 C rainfall 50-160 cms 45% under agriculture 14% forest, Maize, rice are the major crops. 9. Western Plateau and Hills Region Covers lava plateau the Malwa, Bundelkhand plains and Hills such as Satpura & Vindyachal 331000 sq kms area, Narmada, Tapti, Chanbal and Mahi are the major drainage. 24-410 average summer 8-240 average winter. 60-120 cms average rainfall, 60% land under cultivation, 12% under forest cotton, soyabeans, pulses and wheat are the major crops. 10. Southern Plateau and Hills Region Covers plateau of Mysore, Malnad & Maidan, Tamil Nadu & W. Ghats 395,000 sq kms area. River Savarmati, River Koyna, River Ghat Pratiha, River Mal Prabha, major chain age 24-350 C average summer, 15-22 average winter, 50100 cms average rainfall, 60% under cultivation, 12% forest, Rayl, Jowar, Bajra, cotton are the major crops. 11. Eastern Coastal Plain & Hills Covers coromamandel & North ciscoo coast & Eastern Ghats, 197,000 sq kms, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, River Kavri major drainage, 26-380 C temperature summer, 20-300 C average winter, 50-100 cms rainfall, 43% under agriculture, 18% forest, rice is the dominating gop. 12. Western Coastal Plain & Hills Covers konkan, Malabar & W. Ghats, 117000 sq kms area, average summer temperature 26-320 C, average winter temperature 20-290 C. rainfall 200-250 cms, 37% land under agriculture 29% under forest, coconut, rubber, tea, coffee & spices are the major crops, River Periyar is the major Drainage.

13. Gujarat Region Includes plains & hills of Gujarat, 196,00 sq kms satbarmati, Mhai Luni River Narmada & Tapti are the major drainage. 26-420 C summer temperature, 6-240 C average winter, 15-150 cms average, annual rainfall, 51% under cultivation & 11% under forest colon, wheat, Groundnut as a major crop. 14. Western Day Region Includes Raj-Har borcles, Fast Aravalli, Thar diseit & West part of Gujarat, 175000 sq kms. River Luni & R, Banas are the major drainage. 26-450 C average summer 5-200 average winter, 15-30 cms average rainfall 47% under cultivation, 1.2% under forest wheat is the dominating crop Bajra cotton are the other crops. 15. Island Region Include A & N & Lakshaweep 8.5000 sq kms average summer 30 0 C average winter -260 C, rainfall more dhari 200 cms, 4% under agriculture, 88% under forest, maize & sugarcane, rice-coconut are grown in Andaman, While Lakshweep has only fishing. DRY LAND FARMING It is a technique to grow the drought resistance crop in the semi-arid & the arid conditions. In India those areas receiving annual rainfall less than 50 cms per annual one considered to be the dry land farming areas. Almost 64% of the total agricultural land in India is rain-fed. According to Professor Webster production of crops with-out irrigation in low rainfall area is known as dry land farming. It is done by a concentration of moisture through agricultural technologies. According to professor Kuts, the dry land farming is defined as a technique using no artificial irrigation under condition of inadequate rainfall. Hence dry land farming is known as Water concentrating culture or run off culture. In India dry land forming is of great importance 44% of the grains produced in India is derived for dry land farming areas. It supports 40% of the Indias total population 66% of the total cattle population of the country. For improved techniques & consideration D.L.F. practices the central Arid zone research institute (CACRI) has been established in Jodhpur. Following are techniques applied in D.L.F. 1. Techniques to maintain the soil moisture a) Warabandi To concentrate the rain water in agricultural field itself to chance the soil moisture as well as soil quality (To maintain soil moisture in field) b) c) Deep planning (Mechanization of farm practices) 10-12 cms deep Interculture with Emphasis on legumes (leaves more broad ground is covered by plants to avoid direct isolation to the ground. Crop spread horizontally on the surface with broad leaves Legumes) also the

d) e)

selection of crops proper concentration is given on the fodder crops because the animals are the backbone of D.L.F. Emphasis led on diversity of cropping with crop rotation Emphasis on mixed forming practices

watershed management & water shed techniques dry land farming areas have become more prosperous & efficient by the concentrating surface water & enhancing the underground water by animal husbandry & horticultural crops provide financial support to the formers & dry land regions.

Watershed is a geo-hydrological unit area in which water drains from various slopes to a common point and is considered as an appropriate physical unit for natural resources evaluation, planning and management Watershed management implies the rational utilization of land and water resources for optimum production with minimum hazard to natural environment (Bhat, 1989). The concept of watershed management is involves accurate and timely monitoring of natural resources using available latest technologies. This approach aim at proper utilization of land and water resources, protecting land against all forms of deterioration, and monitoring and maintaining soil health, on site conservation of water, proper management of local drainage and sediment reduction and increasing productivity from all land uses through suitable land use planning. Since watershed management involves decision-making for efficient utilization of natural resources, a multidisciplinary approach is essential. Watershed management is the processes of formulation and carrying out a course of action involving modification of the natural system of watershed to achieve specified objectives befitting to the local needs. These include optimum production with minimum hazard to natural resources and assured economic benefits. It also helps in restore the fragile geo-ecological balance at micro level through adoption of various conservation measures. Objectives in watershed development The main objectives in watershed development is to promote the economic development of the village community, which is directly or indirectly depend on the land and water resources of the watershed through: (a) Optimum utilization of available resources that will mitigate adverse

effects of drought and prevents ecological degradation. (b) Bring more marginal and other wastelands under use to enhance the productivity of each parcel of land unit thus enhancing employment generation and other economic development at grass root level. (c) Restoration of degraded eco-systems at the watershed level through sustains community participation. Watershed management implies the wise use of land, water and vegetation of a watershed to obtain optimum production with minimum hazard to the natural resources. The basic objective of watershed management is to solve the problems of soil and water not in terms of anyone resource but on the basis that all the resources are interdependent and must therefore, be considered together. Watershed management aims to improve the standard of living of common man by increasing his earning capacity through offering all facilities required for optimum production. Utilizing the land and water resources according to their capabilities to support agriculture and allied activities. Maintaining adequate vegetative cover on the soil for controlling soil erosion, mainly during rainy season. Conserving maximum possible rainwater through rainwater harvesting by contour farming and water harvesting structures and storing it in ponds for future use. Preventing erosion in gullies and increasing ground water recharge by putting a nullah bunds and gully plugs at suitable intervals. The watershed management implies, the judicious use of all the resources i.e. land, water, vegetation in an area for providing an answer to alleviate drought, moderate floods, prevent soil erosion, improve water availability and increase food, fodder, fuel and fiber on sustained basis. Watershed to achieve maximum production with minimum hazard to the natural resources and for the well being of people. The management should be carried out on the watershed basis. The task of watershed management includes the treatment of land by using most suitable biological and engineering measures in such a manner that, the management work must be economic and socially acceptable

Concept of Watershed 1. Watershed is a geo hydrological unit or piece of land that drain at a common point. 2. A watershed is defined as any spatial area from which rain or irrigation water is collected and drained through a common point. 3. The watershed and drainage basin are synonymous term indicating an area surrounded by a ridge line that is drained through a single outlet. Principles of Watershed Management The main principles of watershed management based on resource conservation, resource generation and resource utilization are:

Utilizing the land based on its capability Protecting fertile top soil Minimizing silting up of tanks, reservoirs and lower fertile lands Protecting vegetative cover throughout the year In situ conservation of rain water Safe diversion of gullies and construction of check dams for in creasing ground water recharge In creasing cropping intensity through inter and sequence cropping. Alternate land use systems for efficient use of marginal lands. Water harvesting for supplemental irrigation. - Maximizing farm income through agricultural related activities such as dairy, poultry, sheep, and goat forming. - Improving infrastructural facilities for storage, transport and agricultural marketing, - Improving socio - economic status of farmers Objectives of Watershed Management

The term watershed management is nearly synonymous with soil and water conservation with the difference that emphasis is on flood protection and sediment control besides maximizing crop production.

The basic objective of watershed management is thus is thus meeting the problems of land and water use, not in terms of any one resource but on the basis that all the resources are interdependent and must, therefore, be considered together.

The watershed aims, ultimately, at improving standards of living of common people in the basin by increasing their earning capacity, by offering facilities such

as electricity, drinking water, irrigation water, freedom from fears of floods, droughts etc.

The overall objectives of watershed development programmers may be outlined as: Recognition of watersheds as a unit for development and efficient use of land according their land capabilities for production, Flood control through small multipurpose reservoirs and other water storage structures at the head water of streams and in problem areas, Adequate water supply for domestic, agricultural and industrial needs. Abatement of organic, inorganic and soil pollution, Efficient use of natural resources for improving agriculture and allied occupation so as to improve socio-economic conditions of the local residents, and

Expansion of recreation facilities such as picnic and camping sites.