What are the key strategies used in dryland farming to overcome water scarcity and maximize agricultural productivity in arid and semi-arid regions? Also discuss the need to promote dryland farming in India. (Answer in 250 words) 15 Marks

Key strategies to overcome water scarcity and maximizing productivity - (1) Promotion of hardy crops like bajra, jowar (millet) in place of water guzzling crops. - (2) Rainwater harvesting and traditional water structures like avi, zabo for storing water. - (3) Following grey water irrigation strategy in the regions.

Extreme climate events like drought are increasing in present times. (4) Droughts in Bihar and Jharkhand in 2022. (3) For food security of the nation at present and in future. Beyond farming in India has been promoted through:- emphasis on millets. 4)2022-International Year of Millet. - Irrigation methods like drip irrigation under PM-Krishi Skai Yojana. - Biotechnological methods like Jharsha Masson - drought resistant rice. There methods like dryland farming are essential for complying SDG-Goal (2)- No Hunger.