Horticulture Based Production Systems in Indian Arid Regions

Abstract

The Indian arid region is characterized by scanty and erratic rainfall; frequent droughts; intense sunshine; occurrence of frost; high wind velocity; poor soil conditions being sandy, low in organic matter and mineral nutrients; limitation of water for human, animal use and for irrigation; flash floods and added to these soil salinity and alkalinity further deteriorate the situation. The traditional animal husbandry based cropping systems practiced in these regions has multi species character wherein millets, pulses and oil seed crops are planted in fields along with multipurpose trees and shrubs. The leaves of these species are lopped and fed to the livestock during the lean period. Existence of such systems in the region suggests their potential advantage in production, stability of output, resilience to perturbation and ecological sustainability. Moreover, the region is bestowed with drought hardy horticultural plants like Bengal quince (Aegle marmelos), Indian cherry (Cordia myxa), Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), Indian jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana), Jharber (Z. nummularia), Indian mesquite (Prosopis cineraria), Pilu (Salvadora oleoides) and many other multi-purpose species. Adoption of horticultural plants has special significance in arid regions, particularly in drought prone areas because these indigenous plants once established become perennial source of income imparting stability as well. Since the cultivation of agricultural crops under rainfed conditions is still risk oriented and often fails to provide sustainability under low and erratic rainfall situations, diversified cropping systems involving profitable woody perennials are required to ensure production stability. Research efforts were, therefore, diverted to develop models of alternate land use systems using horticultural plants as integral components. In the past four decades, improved production systems viz. agri-horti, agri-horti-silvi, horti-pastoral, horti-silvi-pastoral systems have been evolved. These systems have provided stability to fragile ecosystems in order to improve the livelihood security of the desert dwellers. Adoption of these alternative production systems has also enhanced the availability of fodder for livestock, improved the quality of produce for the desert inhabitants, optimized the utilization of land and water resources, enriched the soil fertility, generated additional employment for the inhabitants improving their overall socio-economic status and in preventing the migration. The chapter provides the details of various horticulture-based production systems developed and popularized among farmers in this region.