Q.Write short notes on drought-prone area programme. How does this programme help in the development of dryland agriculture in India?

The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was one of India's earliest area development programmes, launched in the 1970s. It was designed to tackle the chronic problems of drought-prone regions by addressing the root causes of ecological degradation and water scarcity.

The programme focuses on a multi-pronged strategy:

• Soil and moisture conservation through check dams, contour bunding, and afforestation.
• Water resource development by constructing tanks, ponds, and recharge structures to improve groundwater levels.
• Promotion of alternate land use such as horticulture, pasture development, and silvipasture to reduce dependence on rain-fed cropping.
• Livelihood diversification by supporting animal husbandry, small-scale enterprises, and skill development for local communities.

In the context of dryland agriculture, the DPAP helps by stabilising the fragile resource base. By conserving soil and water, it reduces the risk of crop failure during erratic monsoons. The programme encourages the adoption of drought-resistant crops and improved agronomic practices, which raise farm productivity even in low-rainfall areas. It also creates community assets like water harvesting structures that provide critical irrigation during dry spells, thereby reducing distress migration and improving food security.

The Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP) was launched in 1973-74, born out of a hard lesson. Earlier relief efforts during droughts were purely reactive — sending food and money after the damage was done. The DPAP shifted the approach entirely: instead of managing a crisis, it aimed to prevent the crisis from happening in the first place. It was one of India's earliest area-based, integrated development programmes, focusing not just on agriculture but on the entire ecosystem of a drought-prone region.

At its core, the DPAP recognises that drought is not a one-time calamity but a recurring feature of certain climatic zones. These areas, mostly in the rain-shadow regions of the Deccan plateau and parts of western India, receive low and erratic rainfall. The soil is often shallow, the groundwater depleted, and the vegetation sparse. The programme's genius lies in treating the land, water, and people as one interconnected system.

The programme works through a set of interconnected strategies. First and foremost is watershed development. This means treating a natural drainage basin as a single unit. Check dams, percolation tanks, contour bunding, and gully plugs are built to capture every drop of rain that falls. Instead of letting rainwater run off, carrying away precious topsoil, the water is made to soak into the ground. This recharges groundwater, raises the water table, and provides moisture for crops even during dry spells.

Second, the DPAP promotes soil conservation. In dryland areas, soil is thin and fragile. The programme encourages practices like contour ploughing, strip cropping, and the use of organic mulches. These methods prevent erosion, improve soil structure, and help the soil retain moisture for longer periods. A healthy soil is the foundation of any resilient agriculture.

Third, the programme focuses on afforestation and pasture development. Trees and grasses are not just decorative; they bind the soil, create a microclimate that reduces evaporation, and provide fodder for livestock. Species that are drought-resistant and suited to local conditions are chosen. This also provides fuelwood and small timber, reducing pressure on forests.

How does this help dryland agriculture specifically? The answer lies in the nature of dryland farming itself. Dryland agriculture in India is characterised by high risk, low yields, and extreme dependence on the monsoon. The DPAP addresses each of these directly.

By improving water availability through groundwater recharge and moisture conservation, the programme reduces the risk of total crop failure. Even if the monsoon is weak, the stored moisture in the soil and the raised water table allow crops to survive longer. This is a game-changer for a farmer who previously had nothing to fall back on.

The programme also encourages diversification of livelihoods. In a pure dryland farming system, if the crop fails, the family has no income. The DPAP promotes allied activities like animal husbandry, poultry, and even small-scale horticulture. Fodder from pasture development supports livestock, which provides milk, manure, and a buffer income. This reduces the farmer's dependence on a single rain-fed crop.

Furthermore, the community participation aspect of the DPAP is crucial. Watershed committees, user groups, and self-help groups are formed at the village level. These groups plan, implement, and maintain the structures. This builds local capacity, creates a sense of ownership, and ensures that the benefits are sustained long after the programme funding ends. Farmers learn to manage their resources collectively, which is essential in a landscape where water flows across individual boundaries.

The programme also introduces improved dryland farming techniques. Through training and demonstrations, farmers learn about drought-resistant crop varieties, better sowing methods, and efficient water use. Techniques like ridge and furrow planting, intercropping, and the use of farmyard manure become standard practice. Over time, this builds a knowledge base that makes the entire farming system more resilient.

In short, the Drought Prone Area Programme does not try to turn drylands into irrigated lands. That would be unrealistic and ecologically disastrous. Instead, it works with the natural constraints of the region — low rainfall, fragile soils, and high evaporation — and builds a system that can thrive within those limits. It makes dryland agriculture less of a gamble and more of a calculated, sustainable enterprise.