B.M.K Raju

• PhD
• Principal Investigator at Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture

Sorghum and other millets, despite being known for their resilience, face significant agroclimatic challenges, including erratic rainfall, high temperatures, drought, dry spells and nutrient-poor soils. These crops, being significantly important in semi-arid and arid regions globally, invite more research focus. Given the lack of structured synthes...

Considering the importance of identifying hotspots of climate change risk and vulnerability for adaptation planning, this paper conducted a district level climate change risk and vulnerability assessment for India as per the framework suggested by the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report. Climate change risk was assessed in terms of an aggregated index o...

This study explores the development of climate resilient legume-oilseed cropping systems aimed at enhancing productivity and sustainability in dryland regions. Dryland agriculture, often limited by mono-cropping practices and erratic rainfall, necessitates innovative approaches for crop intensification and sustainability for the future. The integra...

This study explores the development of diversified legume-oilseed cropping systems aimed at enhancing yield and water-use efficiency in rainfed areas of semi-arid tropics. Dryland agriculture, often limited by mono-cropping practices and erratic rainfall, necessitates innovative approaches for crop intensification and sustainability for the future....

Poor nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and water use efficiency (WUE) is a predominantly faced problem in semi-arid regions that limit the crop production. This problem can be addressed with the application of zeolite that is a naturally available mineral with very high cation exchange and water holding capacity, which aids in improving NUE and WUE. Mo...

Climate change and variability are increasingly affecting agriculture and livelihoods in developing countries, with India being particularly vulnerable. Drought is one of the major climatic constraints impacting large parts of the world. We examined the effects of drought on crop productivity, evaluated the effectiveness of technologies in mitigati...

Soil erosion is an economic problem and the cost of soil loss and its consequences could be very harsh. The major threat facing the sustainability and productivity is erosion and the associated nutrient loss through run off. And climatic shocks like drought and floods also aggravate the soil loss Aims: The study aims to bring out the different plan...

The variability in climate affects the agricultural production especially in drylands. It is necessary to understand and quantify the impacts of resilient technologies as well as effects of extreme events. Keeping these in view, the primary data on household characteristics and the farm income was collected from a sample of 60 farmers each from Nat...

Livestock is an integral part of the agriculture in Telangana state. 25.82 lakh families in Telangana are engaged in livestock rearing for their livelihood. Along with the economic prosperity by augmenting the farm income, livestock provide nutritional and livelihood security to the farmers. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to identify t...

CONTEXT: Livestock and crop productions are always intrinsically linked in risk prone rainfed farming. Agrosilvopastoral systems ensures supplementarity of resources, feed availability for goat and sheep, and food grain for farmers. Agrosilvopastoral system approach is an attempt to tackle fodder shortages in winter (December–February) and summer (...

Dryland agriculture is as old as India’s agriculture. Before and at the time of independence, agriculture was the primary source of national income and occupation. Droughts had been recurrent making dryland agriculture more risk-prone and limiting production in dryland agriculture. Farmers practiced dryland farming that was built on decades of expe...

India has the world's largest livestock population and Telangana is the eighth largest state in livestock population in the country. Telangana state also exhibited second highest population growth rate over the previous livestock census. Considering the substantial share in state Gross Domestic Product (4.86%) and sub sectoral contribution (49.73%...

Soil microbial communities are important drivers of biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, organic matter decomposition, soil organic carbon, and Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs: CO2, N2O, and CH4) and are influenced by crop and soil management practices. The knowledge on the impact of conservation agriculture (CA) on soil bacterial diversity, nutrien...

Mineral and vitamin deficiencies together affect a greater number of human populations in the world than does protein malnutrition. Organic farming is reported to improve nutritional quality of food grains while also improving soil health. However, sufficient scientific information on several aspects of organic farming based on long-term studies is...

Gram pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hub.) is the major insect pest of pigeonpea and prediction of number of generations (no. of gen.) and generation time (gen. time) using growing degree days (GDD) approach during three future climate change periods viz., Near (NP), Distant (DP) and Far Distant (FDP) periods at eleven major pigeonpea growing loca...

Although, the food grain production showed remarkable increase with increase in fertilizer N use over the time, the average global N use efficiency (NUE) is quite low (0.460). Thus, the rest of the N input (54%) into cropland contributes towards environmental air and water pollution. Over the 60% of N pollution is estimated to originate from crop p...

climate resilient technologies

Livestock farming plays a crucial role in India's agriculture and economy. An analysis of the determinants of livestock farming in India and Karnataka was conducted using multiple regression and binary logistic regression models. The net sown area, net irrigated area, and average monthly income from agriculture were significant factors influencing...

Harvesting and use of rainwater harvesting is a key strategy to improving and stabilizing crop yields and farm incomes in regions dominated by rainfed agriculture, especially in the semi-arid and arid regions. This study attempted an economic analysis of costs and returns associated with rainwater harvesting through small farm ponds in Anantapur di...

Natural resource management (NRM) aims on efficient and sustainable utilization of natural resources. One of the greatest challenges facing the world is meeting the rising demand for food with a sustainable natural resource base. Agriculture, a sector being dependent on natural resources, it is high time to make farmers aware on the importance of N...

Climate change is considered as a potential threat to sustainability of agriculture in India. Considering the importance of agriculture in the pursuit of the country’s development objectives, including the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, understanding possible impacts of climate change on productivity of major food crops in the...

This study investigates the spatio-temporal changes in maize yield under projected climate and identified the potential adaptation measures to reduce the negative impact. Future climate data derived from 30 general circulation models were used to assess the impact of future climate on yield in 16 major maize growing districts of India. DSSAT model...

Sustainable growth in rainfed agriculture is key to achieve various development objectives related to poverty, equity and nutrition in Indian economy. Rainfed agriculture is synonymous with risky agriculture as its very basic features predispose it to climate risk. The climate risk is further compounded by poor resource base and other biotic source...

Asia is the region most vulnerable to climate change and India is ranked as one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world, frequently affected by natural disasters. In this study, we investigated the impact of drought on crop productivity, farmer’s employment and income. The difference-in-difference model (DID) and stepwise multiple lin...

The impact of climate change on agriculture is well studied yet there is scope for improvement as crop specific and location specific impacts need to be assessed realistically to frame adaptation and mitigation strategies to lessen the adverse effects of climate change. Many researchers have tried to estimate potential impact of climate change on w...

Policy brief on district level climate change risk and vulnerability assessment for India based on IPCC's AR5 framework

Introduction The impact of climate change on agriculture and food security has been examined quite thoroughly by researchers globally as well as in India. While existing studies provide evidence on how climate variability affects the food security and nutrition, research examining the extent of effect vulnerability of agriculture to climate change...

Data collection and monitoring and evaluation (M and E) efforts will take a remarkable deal of time and methodical planning and implementation. In the past, these were finished with paper and pen, which made them susceptible to error, difficult to conduct on a big scale, and immoderate in transaction charges. Information and communication era (ICT)...

Conservation agriculture (CA) is an alternative sustainable production system to conventional tillage system for resource conservation in rainfed agriculture. Weeds are the major constraints for adoption of CA in rainfed regions. A seven years study was done at ICAR- Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad, India, to s...

Conservation agriculture (CA) is an alternative sustainable production system to conventional tillage system for resource conservation in rainfed agriculture. Weeds are the major constraints for adoption of CA in rainfed regions. A seven years study was done at ICAR- Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad, India, to s...

The effects of climate change on agriculture are being witnessed all over the world. Rainfed agriculture is likely to be impacted severely in view of its' high dependency on monsoon, the likelihood of increased extreme weather events due to aberrant behavior of south west monsoon. Anantapur, Akola, Solapur and Bijapur districts in India were select...

All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology (AICRPAM) of ICAR has started the micro-level Agromet Advisory Service (AAS) through its 25 cooperative centers across the country. Microlevel advisory based on weather forecast is the newer dimension of the AAS in the country. Studies on economic impact of these micro-level advisories are u...

The impact of climate change on agriculture is well studied yet there is scope for improvement as crop specific and location specific impacts need to be assessed realistically to frame adaptation and mitigation strategies to lessen the adverse effects of climate change. Many researchers have tried to estimate potential impact of climate change on w...

Improving the productivity, profitability and stability in rainfed agriculture is critical to achieving the goals of inclusive growth and enhancing farmers’ incomes given the demographic and geographic importance of rainfed agriculture. Rainwater management through dug out farm ponds is an important part of strategy for enhancing productivity of ra...

Rainfed areas are subjected to climate change through extreme weather events, decrease of water availability and decrease in agricultural productivity. The problem to be addressed is the limited access to and exchange of, information and knowledge related to agriculture and food security at local, national, and regional levels. Krishi Vigyan Kendra...

This report contains a district level assessment of risk of Indian agriculture to climate change following the framework given by the Fifth Assessment Report of IPCC.

Climate change is emerging as an important threat to agriculture, food security and livelihoods. The impacts are likely to be more in rainfed agriculture. In this paper, we have examined the yield vulnerability of sorghum and pearl millet to climate change through panel data regression using the district level data for 1971-2004 and climate project...

Improving the productivity, profitability and stability in rainfed agriculture is critical to achieving the goals of inclusive growth and enhancing farmers' incomes given the demographic and geographic importance of rainfed agriculture. Rainwater management through dug out farm ponds is an important part of strategy for enhancing productivity of ra...

A paradigm shift in rainfed agriculture can be obtained mainly through technological interventions. In this context, the role of extension and advisory services that are saddled with this responsibility should focus on novel approaches. Application of relevant information in agriculture sector brings positive impacts on farm productivity. Timely ac...

Sixteen pongamia families were evaluated in a field experiment for eight consecutive years in dryland conditions to identify stable, high-yielding families. The trial was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Each family, consisting of nine trees per replication, was planted at a spacing of 3 m × 3 m. Yield stabil...

Performance of agriculture depends on natural resource endowment and their efficient utilization. This paper maps the natural resource status vis-a-vis agricultural performance of 458 districts of India. The status of natural resources was captured through seven indicators viz., rainfall, mean temperature, degraded and wastelands, available water-h...

Resilience is emerging as an important development buzzword world over and is considered as an important development indicator. It is viewed and conceptualized differently in different contexts and by various subject matter researchers. It is basically a multidimensional concept difficult to be measured as a single variable. Different frameworks an...

The projected demand of maize production in India in 2050 is 4-5 times of current production. With the scope for area expansion being limited, there is need for enhancement of yield. This calls for identifying areas where huge unrealized yield potential exists. With a view to address the issue, the present study delineates homogeneous agro-climatic...

Farmers' perceptions on climate change in India

Climate change is a likely threat to agriculture, food security and livelihoods of farmers. This paper attempted to (i) convert the climate change projections into agriculturally relevant variables at the district level, (ii) assess the relative vulnerability of districts to climate change,and (iii) understand the farmers’ perceptions about climate...

This is a district level assessment of relative vulnerability and risk in eastern India following the IPCC,2014 framework.

Climate change is characterized by increasing temperatures (especially night temperature), changes in rainfall pattern, increasing frequency of incidence of extreme weather events such as drought, flood, heat wave, cold wave. Understanding what is likely to happen in future helps in planning appropriately and assessment of vulnerability to climate...

In rainfed agriculture supplemental irrigation boosts and stabilises crop productivity when rainfall fails. In these areas groundwater is one of the important sources of irrigation, leading to its exploitation. Key issues in the use of groundwater are equitable access and sustainable use through a combination of technological and social processes....

The paper has attempted to expand the evaluation criteria of farming systems beyond profitability. The proposed methodology has been exemplified with a study conducted in a village in Pudur mandal of Rangareddy district of Telangana. The data on the inputs and outputs of a system and their utilization were collected through a well-structured pre-te...

South Asia, comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, is the most densely populated geographical region in the world and is home to more than one-fifth of the world’s population. Most of the land (about three-fifths of the cropped area) in these countries is rainfed, which means that the economy...

The kharif 2016 started on hopes of better Southwest monsoon as India Meteorological Department predicted 106% of LPA rainfall at country level. The detailed prediction showed above normal rainfall in western and normal to below normal rainfall in eastern and northeast regions of India. Though the total rainfall received during the season was sligh...

Agriculture has been considered as one of the contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and continues to increase with increase in crop production. Hence development of sustainable agro techniques with maximum crop production, and low global warming potential is need of the hour. To assess the mitigation potential of an agricultural activity, q...

Assessing vulnerability to climate change and variability is an important first step in evolving appropriate adaptation strategies to changing climate. Such an analysis also helps in targeting adaptation investments, specific to more vulnerable regions. Adopting the definition of vulnerability given by IPCC, vulnerability was assessed for 572 rural...

Field experiments were conducted in farm yard manure (FYM) and maize-residue (MR) blocks during 1984–2011 with the objective of identifying a superior treatment for attaining maximum finger millet yield and soil-fertility at Bangalore. The treatments tested were Control; FYM@10tha−1; FYM@10tha−1 + 50% nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK); FYM@...

Assessing vulnerability to climate change and variability is an important first step in evolving appropriate adaptation strategies to changing climate. Such an analysis also helps in targeting adaptation investments, specific to more vulnerable regions. Adopting the definition of vulnerability given by IPCC, vulnerability was assessed for 572 rural...

A field experiment was carried out in rainfed semi-arid tropics of India to develop sustainable conservation agriculture (CA) practices as an alternative to conventional agriculture practices to increase yields, soil fertility in pigeon pea –castor cropping system. But this may offset the benefits by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; hence...

The livestock production system is considered equally sensitive to climate change as that of core agriculture system and at the same time livestock itself is also contributing to the phenomenon. The present paper attempts to analyze the sensitivity of livestock productivity in rainfed regions to climatic variability, significance of climate change...

Ten elite lines of Jatropha curcas (L.) were evaluated consecutively for three years at CRIDA, Hyderabad, with the main objectives being to select superior plants with high seed and oil yields and to study variations in agro-morphological, seed and oil yield characteristics and cluster them into different groups. Analysis of variance shows that all...

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2 O) are important biogenic green house gases (GHGSs) from agricultural sector contributing to global warming. Temperature and rainfall play an important role in GHGS fluxes and information on their role in rainfed crops and systems is very scanty. Field studies were conducted at Hyderabad, In...

Jatropha curcas L. (Jatropha) is an important multipurpose tree valued for the oil. In India, plans are underway to bring substantial area under this tree for meeting the biofuel requirements of the country. A study was conducted to develop allometric relationships in Jatropha to predict various biomass related components (above ground and below gr...

Twenty three elite lines of Jatropha curcas (L.) were evaluated against check Chatrapati (the only released variety of J. curcas in India) consecutively for 3 years (2007-08 to 2009-10) at CRIDA, Hyderabad, the southern part of India. The seed yield varied from 287.8 kg/ha to 590.3 kg/ha between years, indicating the influence of environment and ag...

The present study features the estimation of number of generations of tobacco caterpillar, Spodoptera litura. Fab. on peanut crop at six locations in India using MarkSim, which provides General Circulation Model (GCM) of future data on daily maximum (T.max), minimum (T.min) air temperatures from six models viz., BCCR-BCM2.0, CNRM-CM3, CSIRO-Mk3.5,...

India is a developing country where, large numbers of small and marginal farmers have small land holding. The farmer’s risk can be minimized through selection of stable genotypes. In the present study an attempt has been made to identify/ develop reliable stability measures for selecting genotypes stable to environmental variation. Evaluation of ge...

The “green revolution” era in India had largely bypassed the rainfed agriculture. In order to achieve overall development of agriculture, it is essential to bridge the yield gaps, enhance profitability, minimize risk and improve the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on rainfed agriculture. Therefore, regionally differentiated intervention...

Changes in quality of host plants under elevated CO2 (eCO2) conditions likely in future can affect the survival, growth and development, and population dynamics of insect herbivores. The present study aimed to examine the effects of eCO2 on leaf quality of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and consequent effects on growth characteristics of leaf feeding...

On-farm trials were conducted during 2010 and 2011 to evaluate the effect of different interventions on productivity and profitability of rainfed farming systems of small and marginal farmers in Seethagondhi cluster, Adilabad district. Averaged across six farmers' fields, the cotton equivalent yield (CEY) of cotton + pigeonpea intercropping was 7.9...

In India, three main reasons which call for immediate need to improve the use efficiency of fertiliser phosphorus (P) are: i) rock phosphate being a non renewable resource is becoming scarce, ii) increase in fertiliser P prices and iii) to meet the food grain production for fast growing population. This review is mainly focused on the strategies to...

Improving the productivity of rainfed agriculture and income of farmers is important to achieve sustainable and equitable growth. This paper has examined the role of technology and credit, the two important factors of agricultural growth, in increasing farm incomes using farm-level data from three rainfed districts, namely Adilabad, Mahabubnagar an...

Uttarakahnd is a predominantly an agricultural state. Climate change is an important aspect that is likely to influence agriculture and thus food security and livelihoods of farmers. This paper attempted to (i) convert the climate change projections into agriculturally relevant variables at the district level, (ii) assess the relative vulnerability...

Abstract: A field experiment was carried out in rainfed semi-arid tropics of India to develop sustainable conservation agriculture (CA) practices as an alternative to conventional agriculture practices to increase yields, soil fertility in pigeon pea –castor cropping system. But this may offset the benefits by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissi...

Soil erosion has adverse economic and environmental impacts. The economic effects are due to loss of farm income with adverse impact on crop production. There is a need to understand the trade-offs between farm income and soil loss faced by the farmers in making decisions at farm level. There are different methodologies that integrate into a bio-ec...

The Drought-Prone Areas Programme and the Desert Development Programme launched by the Government of India during the 1970s used rainfall and irrigation as the two criteria to ameliorate the impact of drought in the targeted districts. This article revisits the eligibility criteria in light of the recent climatic classifi cation and irrigation stat...

This paper was attempted to examine the effect of temperature and rainfall on the productivity of two important crops-pigeonpea and cotton in Andhra Pradesh following panel data regression approach. Using the district level time series data, the yield of each of these two crops was regressed on maximum temperature during kharif, rainfall quantity a...