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Semi-Arid Region
It constitutes parts of Gujarat,
northern plains and central highlands (Malwa), and the Deccan
plateau.
The climate of the region varies. Some regions are characterized by hot
and dry
summer and cool winter whereas some regions are characterized by hot
and wet
summer and dry winter. The main crops which are grown in this region
are millets,
wheat and pulses. Rice and sugarcane is grown under irrigation
facilities. In
some parts of central highlands, like Bundelkhand, less than 25 per
cent of the
net cropped area is under irrigation, while the rest is under rainfed
agriculture. In Deccan
plateau,
comprising most of the central and western parts of Maharashtra,
northern parts of Karnataka and western parts of Andhra Pradesh the
traditional
practice is rainfed agriculture.
Constraints
- Over exploitation of groundwater in
irrigated areas, resulting in
lowering of
groundwater table
- At places, imperfect drainage conditions leading
to spread of surface
and
subsurface soil salinity and/or sodicity.
- Imperfect drainage limits optimum root
ramification and oxygen
availability
in low-lying areas.
- Salinity and alkalinity hazards under irrigated
agriculture.
- Severe salinity and seasonal inundation by sea
water in the Kathiawar
coast resulting in crop failure.
- Deficiency of N, P and Zn leads to nutrient
imbalance.
- High runoff during rainy season leads to severe
soil and nutrient
loss both
in the red and black soil areas. [1]
Impact of climate change in this region
Results of an experiment carried out by the Department of Agricultural
Meteorology, B A College of Agriculture, Anand
Agricultural University
says that global warming and greenhouse effect will have an impact on
the yield
of wheat and maize in the state. [2]
The arid and semi-arid regions are set to suffer further water
shortages, while
tropical, temperate and boreal Asia are likely to experience increased
flooding. [3]
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