Soil and water conservation for optimizing productivity and improving livelihoods in rainfed areasPPathakauthorP KMishraauthorS PWaniauthorRSudiauthorSoil and water are the most valuable natural resources to meet the basic needs of food, feed, and fiber for human beings. However, conserving soil and water resources is a growing challenge as they are under increasing stress to produce more food for the ever growing population. The loss of soil surface layer, which contains most nutrients and organic matter, reduces fertility. In addition, high runoff water causes moisture stress in the later part of the season, leading to low and variable crop productivity especially under rainfed conditions...................Watershed ManagementAgriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics2011CRC Press(Taylor & Francis)Book Section