“ADVANCES IN GEO-SPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON SUSTAINABLE RAINFED AGRICULTURE”
BACKGROUND AND INVITATION
The Rainfed agriculture plays an important role in Indian economy. Around 68% of total net sown area (136.8 m.ha) comes under rainfed lands spread over 177 districts. Rainfed crops account for 48% area under food crops and 68% of the area under non-food crops. Nearly 50% of the total rural workforce and 60% of livestock in the country are concentrated in these areas.Uncertainty in production due to fluctuations intotal rainfall and changes in its distribution affect the livelihood of many poor and marginal farmers. The central part of the country, in particular the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, is facing severe agrarian crisis. The vagaries of the rainfall resulting in drought conditions, low crop yields,inadequate land management practices and the prevailing socio-economic conditions forcing the farmers to abandon the age-old livelihood system. Thus there is an immediate need to address the sustainability of the rainfed agriculture system through state-of-art technology...