Soil and Water Conservation Measures for Promoting Climate-Resilient Dryland Horticulture

Abstract

Dryland horticulture offers a sustainable pathway for improving livelihoods and ecological stability in India’s semi-arid regions, yet its productivity is increasingly threatened by erratic monsoons, recurrent droughts, and land degradation. This requires analysing climate variability and integrating suitable adaptation measures for long term sustainability of dryland horticulture and ensuring livelihood security of dependent farming households. The study, conducted in Wanaparthy district of Telangana, integrates long-term climatic analysis (1997–2021) with soil and water conservation (SWC) interventions to promote climate-resilient horticulture. The results show a high variability in rainfall (424.8–1562 mm; CV 31%) and temperature (34.4–36.9°C), with declining rainy days (35–78 per year) and more intense one-day rainfall events (>200 mm). These indicate climatic instability, emphasizing the need for effective SWC measures. Based on the climate variability, this paper presents package of SWC measures that can be integrated with climate-resilient horticultural practices in Wanaparthy district of Telangana state of India. A suite of SWC interventions that are divided into area treatments viz., continuous and staggered contour trenches, water absorption trenches, contour and field bunds, farm ponds, etc., and drainage line treatments viz., gully plugs, rock fill dams, gabion structures and mini percolation tanks, etc., are identified to conserve rainwater, enhance infiltration, and improve soil moisture retention that lead to enhanced survival, growth and productivity of dryland horticulture crops. Integrated with drip and pitcher irrigation, mulching, tank silt application and intercropping, these measures would significantly improve soil moisture retention, water-use efficiency, crop yields, and farmer incomes. Beyond productivity, the interventions enhance groundwater recharge, soil fertility, and women’s livelihood opportunities through nursery and tank restoration activities. The convergence of these measures with dryland horticulture practices under MGNREGS, PMKSY-WDC 2.0, MIDH, and NABARD-assisted infrastructure and development projects could operationalize climate-resilient horticulture at a landscape scale, providing a replicable model for semi-arid regions of India aligned with national and global climate resilience goals.