Of the total cultivatable land in India, 92 million hectares is rainfed area and 51 million is irrigated area. This means nearly 2/3rd of cultivable land in India is rainfed and many not be fit for irrigated agriculture. Traditionally, a mix of crops suited to the dry land conditions were grown in these areas. For example the dry land agriculture of the Deccan plateau had a mixture of 16 crops sown at the same time. These have varying maturity period which results in extended period of work and continuous supply of incomes and/ or food gave. This also minimized the risk factor, where at least one crop will give yield even in adverse climatic conditions. Mixed cropping also reduced the chance of any insect becoming a major pest. The crops were so chosen to provide balanced and nutritious food to the land (soil fertility), human population and the livestock.
However, with the green revolution emphasis shifted to rice and wheat. These were the crops that were also available through the ration shops under the PDS. The main cereal cooked at home changed to rice and wheat. As the demand for local food grains fell, over time many of the patches of dry land were left uncultivated. You may recall that under the Green Revolution rice and wheat agriculture was encouraged for food self-sufficiency through various government policies. Cultivation of millets on the other hand was neither encouraged, nor supported. There was not enough research on how to increase the yield of coarse cereals. this is the main reason why the production of dry land crops like millets and oil seeds suffered.
In Zaheerabad mandal of Medak district of telangana, villagers have reversed the dependence on purchased wheat and rice. It all began around the year 2000 as the women began to reflect on the loss of local food cultures. Millet's were the traditional staple of the region, which had been lost to rice. Rice is nutritionally inferior compared to millets. Besides poor nutrition, people also realised that they had lost control on what grew on their land. Many fields were now fallow. Led by a voluntary organisation, Deccan Development Society, the villagers collectively decided to cultivate the fallow land and the commons. Millets were the obvious crop choice because of their suitability to the local environment. Millets are hardy crops and nutritious.
Cultivation of dry land gave people work. Further, instead of selling the produce outside, the community started community grain bank. This operated on the principle of the PDS system (like people hold different ration cards and are assigned fixed quotas depending on the type of ration card). Only it was locally managed, and the grain was the local grain. Instead of the grain travelling hundreds of kilometers, locally produced food was now available to ensure food security in the village.
Thanks for Reading............
However, with the green revolution emphasis shifted to rice and wheat. These were the crops that were also available through the ration shops under the PDS. The main cereal cooked at home changed to rice and wheat. As the demand for local food grains fell, over time many of the patches of dry land were left uncultivated. You may recall that under the Green Revolution rice and wheat agriculture was encouraged for food self-sufficiency through various government policies. Cultivation of millets on the other hand was neither encouraged, nor supported. There was not enough research on how to increase the yield of coarse cereals. this is the main reason why the production of dry land crops like millets and oil seeds suffered.
In Zaheerabad mandal of Medak district of telangana, villagers have reversed the dependence on purchased wheat and rice. It all began around the year 2000 as the women began to reflect on the loss of local food cultures. Millet's were the traditional staple of the region, which had been lost to rice. Rice is nutritionally inferior compared to millets. Besides poor nutrition, people also realised that they had lost control on what grew on their land. Many fields were now fallow. Led by a voluntary organisation, Deccan Development Society, the villagers collectively decided to cultivate the fallow land and the commons. Millets were the obvious crop choice because of their suitability to the local environment. Millets are hardy crops and nutritious.
Cultivation of dry land gave people work. Further, instead of selling the produce outside, the community started community grain bank. This operated on the principle of the PDS system (like people hold different ration cards and are assigned fixed quotas depending on the type of ration card). Only it was locally managed, and the grain was the local grain. Instead of the grain travelling hundreds of kilometers, locally produced food was now available to ensure food security in the village.
Thanks for Reading............
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