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Technical Support to Develop Forecasting/Predictive Techniques to Assist Vulnerable Farmers and Planners at District and State Level to Make Informed Decisions on Crop Choices and Plans for Rainfed Agriculture - TCP/IND/3805

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 9

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Project

Synopsis (short abstract) Agriculture in India is extremely diverse among regions in terms of climate, soils, growing season and cropping patterns, and is dependent upon rain. The rainfed agricultural system prevails in 52 percent of the country's net sown area, contributing nearly 40 percent of the total food production and supporting about two thirds of the livestock population. Moreover, small and marginal farmers constitute more than 86 percent of the total farmers in the country, with less than 50 percent of the land under cultivation. Currently, seasonal climate variability is a key factor in defining agricultural performance, considering that rainfed areas are extremely vulnerable to climate change due to their poor capacity to cope with extreme water and weather shocks. Even though the government developed some support strategies and agencies, such as the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) to apply space and geospatial technology in various aspects of agriculture and support the farmers’ resilience, poor market linkages and infrastructure constraints contribute to undermining farmers’ incomes and economic resilience. Additionally, the lack of weather consultants and proper soil testing resources have hindered the effective management of agriculture, while the absence of extension services in villages has deprived farmers of crucial support, emphasizing the existing gaps and deficiencies.

Language English

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