Identification of resource management domain-specific best practices in the agriculture sector for the Mewat region of Haryana, India

Abstract

Agriculture is a complex system which takes into consideration the area-specific biophysical and socioeconomic conditions. However, the existing development and implementation of agriculture-based technology and programs are not area specific. One of the key challenges in this regard is the lack of a proper methodology to identify the area specificity. Resource management domain (RMD) method that incorporates both biophysical and socioeconomic condition has emerged out as a better way to identify area-specific best practices. The RMD method results in the delineation of area RMDs having similar management requirements for the similar land use. In the present study, the RMD method has been used to identify RMD-specific best practices. Focused group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in the delineated RMDs in order to investigate the farmer’s specific needs. The findings of the FGDs were compared with the existing government programs and shared with the local administrative authorities. The local administrative authorities have proposed few programs to bridge the identified gaps between the existing programs and the RMD-specific farming needs; however, it was realized that the proposed programs, though important, are not sufficient enough to completely address the identified RMD-specific challenges. Therefore, they were complemented with the best practices which emerged out from the FGDs, the literature review conducted in the similar settings, based on the interviews with the experts who are well aware of the district. The identified best practices include in situ and ex situ rainwater conservation, use of micro-irrigation system, minimal use of saline groundwater, adoption of a diversified farming system, shift to less water-intensive and saline-tolerant crop varieties, efficient use of fertilizers, crop residue retention, solar irrigation tube wells, community management of forest and water harvesting structures. A road map is also recommended for the implementation of these practices by the district authorities. The findings of the study thus provide an important pathway for the development, management and monitoring of agricultural and natural resource conservation programs.