Better crop management options through research & simulation studies

to enhance productivity and reduce risk for dryland farmers.

V. NAGESWARA RAOConjoint PhD candidate

WUR(Crop Systems Analysis)-UTAS (Extensive Agriculture) initiated in 2011

Objectives

• Better crop management options to sustain the improved productivity by intensifying rainfed cropping systems on Vertisols,

• Reduce the risk of crop failures on lighter Alfisols by assessing appropriate cropping options

• Suitable for variable ENSO phase dependent seasonal rainfall.

Our study would address the crop production risks of rainfed small holder farmers and attract the attention of policy makers in the region

Thesis outline

• CHAPTER I. Review on status of rainfed cropping systems productivity in Semi-Arid Tropical (SAT) India

• CHAPTER II. Analysis of Dryland cropping systems for crop intensification and risk minimization options on Vertisols in assured rainfall regions.

• CHAPTER III. Analysis of modelled peanut cropping systems for intensification and risk minimization options on Alfisols in the scarce rainfall zone of South India.

Thesis outline

• CHAPTER IV. Cropping choices for synergistic rotations to sustain improved productivity

• CHAPTER V. Consequences of ENSO based seasonal rainfall patterns for rainfed crop productivity in the Semi-Arid Peninsular India.

• CHAPTER IV. General Discussion on suitable options for Vertisols and Alfisols of the semi-Arid India.

Review on status of rainfed cropping systems productivity

• Rainfed agriculture remains vital for food and fodder security in the semi-arid tropical (SAT) regions of India

• India’s economy is dependent on income of millions of small holder farmers

• The problems associated with larger areas of rainfed agriculture are: • lower crop yields on Vertisols and Alfisols• risk-averse low input management strategies of small

holder farmers • low adoption rates of improved technologies • accentuated by highly variable seasonal conditions

affecting the national economy

Analysis of Dryland cropping systems for intensification & risk minimization

options on Vertisols• Traditional fallowing in rainy season and cropping during post-

rainy season on stored soil moisture• Poor resource utilization• Low input management of rainfed cropping systems

Results of Analysis for publicationsConference paper: Nageswara Rao, V., Rego, T. J., Meinke, H., Parsons, D., Craufurd, P. Q., Wani, S. P., Kropff, M. J. (2011) Long-term evaluation of dryland cropping systems intensification for sustainable production in the semi-arid tropics of India. In: Resilient Food Systems for a Changing World: Proceedings of the 5th World Congress of Conservation Agriculture incorporating 3rd Farming Systems Design Conference, 26-29 September 2011, Brisbane, Australia.

Journal paper: Nageswara Rao, V., Meinke, H., Parsons, D., Craufurd, P. Q., Wani, S. P., Kropff, M. J., Rego, T. J. (draft). Double cropping as viable option sustains the increased productivity of dryland cropping systems on Vertisols in the SAT India. Targeted to European journal of Agronomy.

Alfisols and cropping system

Analyses of modelled peanut cropping systems for risk

minimization options on Alfisols• On Alfisols, Peanut monocropping for decades affected the system

productivity due to diseases; • uncertain and variable climate resulted in low productivity, crop failures

and fodder insecurity

Results of Analysis for publicationsTwo Conference papers: 1. Nageswara V Rao , Piara Singh, D Balaguravaiah, J. P. Dimes and Peter S. Carberry (2004). Systems modeling and farmers’ participatory evaluation of cropping options to diversify peanut systems in Anantapur region, India. I: APSIM simulations to analyze constraints and opportunities. 2. V.Nageswara Rao, Piara Singh, Y. Padmalatha, TJ Rego, P Carberry (2004). Systems modeling and farmers’ participatory evaluation of cropping options to diversify peanut systems in Anantapur region, India II: Farmers’ participatory field assessment of simulated peanut systems . Fischer, T. et al (2004). New directions for a diverse planet: Proceedings for the 4th International Crop Science Congress, Brisbane, Australia, 26 September – 1 October 2004.

Two Journal papers: 1. Agricultural Systems2. Agronomy for Sustainable development

Cropping choices for synergistic rotations to sustain improved

productivity

• A review paper will be prepared on research results published on the synergistic and antagonistic crops in rotations in the semi-arid tropics

• Journal paper:V. Nageswara Rao, R. Kalpana Sastry, P. Craufurd, H. Meinke, David Parsons, T. J. Rego and A. Rathore (2014). Cropping systems strategies for effective management of Fusarium wilt in safflower. Field Crops Research, 156 (2014) 191-198”

Consequences of ENSO based seasonal rainfall patterns for rainfed

crop productivityBook chapter published:V. Nageswara Rao, P. Singh, J. Hansen, T. Giridhara Krishna, S. K. Krishna Murthy (2007). Use of ENSO-based seasonal rainfall forecasting for informed cropping decisions by farmers in the SAT India. In Climate Prediction and Agriculture: Advances and Challenges (Eds. M. V. K. Siva Kumar and James Hansen). ISBN:103-540-44649-4,Pages 165-179. Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York; WMO, Geneva.

Optional paper:Nageswara Rao, V., Peter Craufurd, Holger Meinke, David Parsons, and Rego, T. J. (2013). Cropping systems productivity affected by ENSO related monsoon rainfall variability in Peninsular India. Pages 115-116.

Seasonal rainfall variability based risk management options for farmers in low rainfall regions for better crop management decision making

Discussion: Suitable dryland cropping options for Vertisols & Alfisols

• Suitable double cropping and nutrient management on Vertisols

• Suitable intercrops to minimise crop failure risks on Alfisols• Synergistic crops in cropping systems for reduction of

diseases and enhanced nutrient availability• Suitable for ENSO based seasonal rainfall variability in the

regionGOAL: Knowledge based production systems, agriculture as a dependable enterprises for small holder farmers in dryland regions.