Landscape resource management for sustainable crop intensification

Anantha, K H and Garg, K K and Singh, R and Akuraju, V and Dev, I and Petrie, C A and Whitbread, A M and Dixit, S (2021) Landscape resource management for sustainable crop intensification. Environmental Research Letters (TSI), 17 (1). pp. 1-19. ISSN 1748-9326

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Abstract

Crop intensification is required to meet the food demands of an increasing population. This paper presents data from three paired scaling-up initiatives to compare the benefits of landscape-based interventions over individual plot-level interventions using evidence generated in the Indian semi-arid tropics. A range of soil and water conservation interventions were implemented in a decentralized manner following the landscape-based approach. The plot-level approach focused only on balanced fertilizer application and improved crop cultivars while the landscape-based interventions primarily addressed moisture availability, which was the key to reducing risks of crop failure besides aiding productivity gain and enhanced land and water-use efficiency. These interventions have additionally harvested 50–150 mm of surface runoff and facilitated groundwater recharge in 550–800 mm rainfall zones. Individual plot-level interventions also improved the crop yield significantly over the control plots. However, crop intensification was not achieved due to limited moisture availability. Landscape-based interventions produced 100%–300% higher crop production per year, greater income generation (>100%), and improved water productivity. Landscape-based interventions were also found to be beneficial in terms of reducing soil loss by 75%–90% and improving base flow availability additionally by 20–75 d in a year compared to untreated watersheds. With increased moisture availability, fallow lands in respective watersheds have been utilized for cultivation, thereby enhancing crop intensification. The findings of the study provide critical insights into the design of approaches suitable for scaling-up projects in order to both create impact and target the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Resilient Farm and Food Systems
CRP:	CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystems (WLE)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Water balance component, Groundwater recharge, System productivity, Rural livelihood, Semi-arid tropics
Subjects:	Others > Livelihoods Others > Semi-Arid Tropics Others > Water Resources
Depositing User:	Mr Arun S
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2022 03:56
Last Modified:	30 Sep 2024 08:46
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/11943
Official URL:	https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac413a
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	Authors thankfully acknowledge the financial support received from Asian Development Bank, Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Sir Dorabjee Tata Trust, Coca- Cola India Foundation, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Government of Uttar Pradesh for implementing landscape-based and plot-level initiatives at different sites. The authors acknowledge the support received from CGIAR Research Program on Water, Land and Ecosystem for hydrological monitoring at some sites and salary support.
Links:	Google Scholar

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