Optimal Crop Planning in A Canal Command Area with Due Emphasis on Nutrient Balance and Climate Change

Abstract

Rainfed agriculture plays a vital role in providing food and livelihoods globally. However, its production is adversely affected due to uncertainty in rainfall patterns which is increasing under the impact of climate change. Supplemental irrigation helps minimization of risk thus stabilizes the crop yield. Given that rice is a primarily grown crop in rainfed conditions and is the staple food of half the global population, it is under the pressure of increasing production due to the burgeoning population globally. Therefore, proper farming management such as balanced fertilization practices, irrigation etc are required. On the other hand, monocropping of cereal is a growing phenomenon among the farmers, due to known yield, reduced investment, prior knowledge of the activity calendar, insufficient irrigation and lower market risk resulting in a rice-fallow cultivation system. However, the introduction of pulses, oilseeds and vegetable crops during the fallow season is the key to providing better nutrition and improving household food security. Thus, irrigation water management is required for maximizing yield of these crops during the fallow season.