Various problems of dryland agriculture and suggested agro-techniques suitable for dryland vegetable production

Due to low opportunities and higher population of landless and agricultural laborers as well as low land and labor productivity, poverty is concentrated in drier regions. The traditional subsistence farming systems have changed and at present time farmers have minute options and are are preferring to grow high value crops particularly vegetables which require intensive use of inputs, most importantly life saving irrigations, and therefore they face real problems in day to day life and is a serious concern which should be given huge importance as far as living conditions in such regions.

In every region of the world it is necessary to find or develop appropriate technologies for agriculture. And for dry land agriculture particularly. Millions of people live in these regions, and if current trends in population increase continue, there will soon be millions more. Yet, the techniques are so varied that only a for a very large volume would cover the entire subject. Then agronomic techniques, adoption of water harvesting principles, use of resistant crop varieties that may be useful in such areas are suggested.

Different moisture conservation practices viz., ridges and furrows, ridges and furrows + mulch and farmers practice (Flat bed method) are being followed in vegetable crops. Ridge and furrows along with mulch enhanced the vigour of the vegetable crops as manifested in higher plant height, leaf area and dry matter production (Allolli et al.,2008). At present, the major arid vegetables being grown by the farmers on small scale (0.10 ha) to large scale (2.50 ha) in different cropping systems during Kharif and Rabi seasons are Citrullus lanatus, Snapmelon, Brinjal, Okra, Bottlegourd, Ridge gourds, Clusterbean, Round melon,, Tomato, Chilli, Pea, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Spinach, Fenugreek (leaves), Coriander (green), Carrot, Radish,, Green Onion, Garlic, Mustard leaves, Moringa pods, etc. (Meena et al.,2009).