351growth rate in WTO implementation period (1995–2000) was 2.38 % whereas
entire post-WTO period (1995–2003) recorded a growth rate of 4.73 %. The 'lack of
trade balance, therefore, hurt the region due to the unanticipated and extraordinary
decline in commodity prices. Consequently, exports declined and imports spiraled,
which adversely affected farmer incomes (George 2005 ).
2 Technological Developments: Experiences
Rural livelihood systems in dryland areas have, by persisting over several decades,
demonstrated a resilience which runs counter to some predictions of imminent, irre-
versible degradation or collapse (Mortimore et al. 2000 ). The potential for technically-
based interventions varies across South Asian countries. For example, in India, a
diverse bank of proven technologies for dryland farming and conservation has grown
over eight decades due to a massive investment in research. Research in dryland
agriculture in India began in the 1930s. During the 1950s, the research focused on
soil management and water conservation including bunding, terracing, gully plug-
ging and check dams along with improved agronomic practices such as deep plow-
ing, early sowing, improved varieties and crop rotations, optimum crop stands and
weed control. Location-specific technologies—including in-situ moisture conserva-
tion, rainwater harvesting in farm ponds and its efficient utilization, integrated nutri-
ent management modules, foliar sprays for drought mitigation, resilient crops and
cropping systems, seed priming, improved sowing methods and contingency crop
plans—have been developed by different research organizations including the
Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) to improve the produc-
tivity and profitability of dryland systems (Srinivasarao et al. 2014d).
2.1 Natural Resources Management
The management of natural resources in dryland areas is important not only because
the livelihoods of millions of rural poor (>500 million) are directly connected to
these areas but also because these areas will continue to play a crucial role in deter-
mining food security for the growing population and in reducing poverty in the
coming decades (Rockstrom et al. 2007 ). Enhancing the efficiency and sustainabil-
ity of natural resource management (NRM) projects in these areas is a universal
challenge faced by concerned stakeholders.
2.1.1 Water
Rainwater management is a critical component of rainfed farming; the successful
production of crops largely depends on how efficiently soil moisture is conserved
in-situ and how the surplus runoff is harvested, recharged, stored and reused for
Dryland Agriculture in South Asia: Experiences, Challenges and Opportunities