Identifying potential zones for rainwater harvesting interventions for sustainable intensification in the semi‑arid tropics

Garg, K K and Akuraju, V R and Anantha, K H and Singh, R and Whitbread, A M and Dixit, S (2022) Identifying potential zones for rainwater harvesting interventions for sustainable intensification in the semi‑arid tropics. Scientific Reports (TSI), 12. 01-18. ISSN 2045-2322

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Abstract

Decentralized rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a promising approach to mitigate drought in the drylands. However, an insufficient understanding of its impact on hydrological processes has resulted in poor resource planning in this area. This study is a meta-analysis of 25 agricultural watersheds representing a range of rainfall and soil types in the semi-arid tropics. Rainfall-runoff-soil loss relationship was calculated at daily, monthly and yearly levels, and the impact of RWH interventions on surface runoff and soil loss was quantified. A linear relationship was observed between daily rainfall and surface runoff up to 120 mm of rainfall intensity, which subsequently saw an exponential increase. About 200–300 mm of cumulative rainfall is the threshold to initiate surface runoff in the Indian semi-arid tropics. Rainwater harvesting was effective in terms of enhancing groundwater availability (2.6–6.9 m), crop intensification (40–100%) and farmers’ incomes (50–200%) in different benchmark watersheds. An average of 40 mm of surface runoff was harvested annually and it reduced soil loss by 70% (3 ton/ha/year compared to 1 ton/ha/year in non-intervention stage. The study further quantified runoff at 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles, and found that more than 70% of the area in the Indian semi-arid tropics has high to medium potential for implementing RWH interventions.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	RP-Resilient Dryland Systems
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	drought, drylands, rainwater harvesting interventions, sustainable intensification, semi‑arid tropics
Subjects:	Others > Drought Others > Irrigation Others > Watershed Management Others > Water Resources Others > Drylands
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	20 Sep 2023 04:52
Last Modified:	20 Sep 2023 04:52
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/12185
Official URL:	https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07847-4
Projects:	UNSPECIFIED
Funders:	UNSPECIFIED
Acknowledgement:	UNSPECIFIED
Links:	Google Scholar

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