Management of drought through Crop diversification and Intercropping based on Rainfall analysis in Western India

Based on rainfall analysis (1960–2004) and soil moisture retention properties at DFRS, Arjia, Bhilwara in Rajasthan state (India), short duration maize with in-situ moisture conservation practices, diversified crops and intercrops were grown and also explored the possibility of recycling the harvested rain water in medium textured soils in 4 years (2001 to 2004). Results revealed that the mean date of onset of effective monsoon was found to be 27^th week (2^nd -8^lh July) and withdrawal of south west monsoon by 40”‘ week (l^sl -7^th October). Mid season and terminal drought are likely to occur during the period 33–35 weeks and 36^th week onwards, respectively. Different rainfall situations were observed during the study period. The study revealed that in flat sowing and ridging after first inter cultural operations mean maize yield increased by 13.2% over farmers practice without any extra cost. The in-situ moisture conservation practices, crop diversification and intercropping techniques were found to be very effective for drought mitigation. The maize +blackgram gave highest mean maize equivalent yield (1663 kg ha⁻¹) and rainwater use efficiency (3.92 kg ha⁻¹mm⁻¹) as compared to sole maize with in-situ moisture conservation practices and blackgram.