Contingency Crop Planning

The Contingency plans cover contingency strategies to be taken up by farmers in response to major weather related aberrations such as delay in onset and breaks in monsoon causing early, mid and late season droughts, floods, unusual rains, extreme weather events such as heat wave, cold wave, frost, hailstorm and cyclone.

1. Contingency Crop Planning By: Akash Singh 1

2. Table of Contents Introduction Decision Tree for suggesting Contingency measures Strategies for Contingency Planning Prologue to Contingency Plan Contingency Plan for Monsoon delay by 2 Weeks Contingency Plan for Monsoon delay by 4 Weeks Contingency Plan for Monsoon delay by 6 Weeks Contingency Plan for Monsoon delay by 8 Weeks Plan during Early and Terminal Drought Conclusion Questions 2

3. Introduction Contingency plan can be defined as a plan aimed and executed for an outcome other than in the usual or expected plan. In other words, it is frequently used for risk management incase of an exceptional risk in future. In general, the change in sowing or planting time of crops, change in seed rate, change in schedule of fertilizer use, use of short duration varieties, improved crop genotypes form the core component of contingency crop planning. The Contingency plans cover contingency strategies to be taken up by farmers in response to major weather related aberrations such as delay in onset and breaks in monsoon causing early, mid and late season droughts, floods, unusual rains, extreme weather events such as heat wave, cold wave, frost, hailstorm and cyclone. 3

4. Decision tree for suggesting Contingency measures for Drought 4 SW Monsoon Delayed onset – Delayed sowing Rains received prior to cut-off sowing date Normal crop, short duration variety Rains received after cut-off Contingent crop Normal onset – Normal sowing Breaks in Monsoon Early season (Immediately after normal sowing) Gap filling / resowing Midseason (vegetative/ flowering) Crop-soil moisture-nutrient conservation measures Terminal (early withdrawal) Early rabi / rabi cropping

5. Strategies Long, medium and short range weather forecasts of IMD may be used as the base to plan the contingency responses at different levels as the season unfolds and monsoon progresses in the ensuing kharif. State Departments of Agriculture should have action plan to tackle various rainfall scenarios in the state This should be followed up with a separate meeting by district planning units involving officers from agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, power distribution and irrigation to focus on preparedness for inputs, energy requirements and to dovetail budgetary support from various ongoing schemes for implementation of the contingency plan at the district level. 5

6. Continuous monitoring and in-season review are fundamental for effective implementation of the contingency plan at the district level. Progressive information on crop situation at the district level is crucial to execute the plan in needy blocks. A sound seed production and storage plan should be put in place if needed at the district level as a medium term strategy for making available seeds of alternate crops and varieties that can be sown in case of delayed monsoon. Ensure availability of breeder seed of contingency crops/varieties which are not normally in the seed chain A nodal officer may be identified at the SAU level to liaison with line departments to ensure supply of identified breeder / nucleus seed each year for multiplication in the spring season or previous kharif season. A revolving fund may be thought of to provide budgetary, manpower and infrastructure support for this purpose. Cont’d. 6

7. Seeds to be produced every year. In case the monsoon is normal and the seeds are not used, they may be disposed off as grain. The financial modalities of the cost of production of such seeds, transport, storage and the loss incurred when disposed off as grain needs to be worked out and budgeted from on-going government schemes. Village level seed banks (crop and fodder) need to be promoted to bring in self-sufficiency at the local level and also contribute to the seed supply chain of those varieties suitable for contingency situations elsewhere in the state or other states with similar Agro-ecologies. Mechanisms and provisions may need to be evolved to address issues related to certification for buy back arrangements by state seed agencies for redistribution. Adoption of drought and flood tolerant crop varieties in vulnerable districts should be promoted as a risk minimization strategy. Seeds of such varieties may be sourced and made available in sufficient quantities for promotion in drought and flood prone areas. Cont’d. 7

8. Availability of inputs related to nutrient management (e.g. foliar spray of KCl or KNO 3 to partially alleviate moisture stress during drought) and inputs related to reduction of crop water demand (e.g. application of anti- transpirants or hormones) is an issue to be addressed by the state departments. Large scale demonstrations of climate resilient agronomic practices to create awareness and promote widespread adoption by farmers at block level direct seeding options for short duration varieties in paddy for delayed situations; in situ moisture conservation practices and crop residue recycling; planting of millets, cotton, pulses and oilseed crops in ridge-furrow or raised bed systems to ensure adequate drainage in case of excess rains Promotion of farm implements on custom hiring basis or purchase Location-specific farm implements needed in such contingency situations should be listed, reasonably priced and provisions made for increasing their availability to farmers. Cont’d. 8

9. Production strategy for augmenting fodder supply in such situations is essential. Similarly arrangements to increase production and supply of supplements (UMMB blocks) to increase the palatability and digestibility of crop residues not normally fed to livestock should be taken up. Planned location-specific crop diversification options (preferably ID crops) need to be identified and action plan drawn for adoption in endemic areas prone to water shortages due to erratic rainfall, limited and delayed release of canal water, poor inflows into tanks and insufficient groundwater recharge situations. Lessons learnt from combating contingency experiences in the previous year faced in different states due to continuous and excess rainfall such as the onion and vegetable crises and pest outbreaks (e.g. brown plant hopper in rice) needs to be captured and integrated into the contingency plans for the ensuing kharif season. Cont’d. 9

10. Medium and long term strategies are critical and essential for the sustained implementation of district level contingency plans to tackle monsoon aberrations: Restoration and renovation of drains in flood prone delta areas and cyclone affected areas Undertake drought proofing, rainwater harvesting works in a planned manner using MGNREGA and IWMP funds Efficient use of harvested water through micro-irrigation systems C rop residue recycling to build organic carbon reserves to improve soil health and water holding capacity to cope with dry spells River bank protection to avoid flooding and sand casting of the crop fields due to heavy unseasonal rains Promotion of Agro-forestry systems for resilience in chronically drought prone areas as they improve soil fertility and also provide fodder for the livestock Promotion of weather insurance to minimize risk to farmers due to monsoon aberrations Cont’d. 10

11. Contingent planning for rainfed crops is important when the onset of monsoon and winter rains is delayed. Generally the SW Monsoon covers the whole country in 8 week time starting from 1 st June. Historically the monsoon behavior indicates the delays by 2 or 6 weeks across the country and in exceptional cases by 8 weeks. Hence the template gives scope for developing contingency strategies for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks delay in onset of monsoon for major farming situation prevalent in the district. Even if the crop is sown under normal onset of monsoon, the dry spells occur at different pheno-phases during the cropping season resulting in early, mid-season and terminal droughts adversely impacting the performance of standing crops. 11 Prologue

12. Normal Sowing for Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh 12 Season Situation Crop Normal Sowing Kharif Rainfed Maize 3 rd Wk of May-3 rd Wk of June Kharif Rainfed Paddy 3 rd Wk of May-3 rd Wk of June Rabi Rainfed Wheat 1 st Wk of Oct-4 th Wk of Dec Rabi Rainfed Sarson 1 st Wk of Oct-2 nd Wk of Oct Rabi Rainfed Barley 3 rd Wk of Oct-2 nd Wk of Nov Rabi Irrigated Wheat 1 st Wk of Nov-4 th Wk of Dec

13. If monsoon does not set in till last week of June, the following must be amended: Upland Sowing of rice in high lands should not be done. Sow non-rice crops like maize, soybean, cowpea etc. as per the command area. Sow the crops in lines so that inter-culture operations become easier. Sow short duration rice varieties after late setting of monsoon, preferably less than 85 days. If rain ceases, after mid-July - August. Not sufficient rain for beusaning. Weed the crop and reduce Nitrogen Top dressing. B . If drought occurs in mid-August – mid-September. Start early Rabi Sowing. Tap the water. Weed the crop. 13

14. Crop Plan for Monsoon Delay by 2 Weeks 14 Farming Situation Crop Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Rice (Transplanted/Direct Seeded) HRI 152 Hybrid, HPR 1068/HPR 2143/ Kasturi Basmati /Hassan Serai /RP 2421/HPR 1156. In Kullu areas- Kunjan 4/ Brighu Dhan / Naggar Dhan . Direct Sown: HPR 1156/VL Dhan 221 Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Bajaura Makka , Vivek 21, Girija and Early Composite Babycorn (VL 78) Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Short duration Maize: HQPM 1, PMZ 4, Bajaura Makka , Vivek 21, Girija and Early Composite. Intercropping of oilseed & pulses in maize: Maize + Soybean ( HaritSoya / Shivalik ), Cowpea ( C 475 ), Blackgram ( UG 218 /Him Mash 1)

15. Crop Plan for Monsoon Delay by 4 Weeks 15 Farming Situation Crop Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Rice (Transplanted): 15 days old seedlings of VL Dhan 221 be transplanted. Rice (Direct Seeded): VL Dhan 221 , RP 2421, HPR 1156, HPR 1068 Black Gram: Him Black Gram-1, UG-218. Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Maize fodder, Maize + Legume fodder ( Blackgram , Kulthi, Seasame ) Blackgram : UG 218, Pant U 19, Him Blackgram 1 Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Vegetables: Okra ( P-8, Pusa Sawani , Harbhajan ), Tomato Indeterminate Var. ( Solan Vajr , Solan Garima, Solan Pride and Sindhur, Palam Pride ), Chilli ( S urajmukhi , CH-1). Cucurbits: Bottle Gourd (PSPL, PSPR, Pusa Meghdoot ), Cucumber ( Poinsette , KH 1, Khira 75, Khira 90 ), Bitter Gourd ( Solan Hara, Solan Safed )

16. Crop Plan for Monsoon Delay by 6 Weeks 16 Farming Situation Crop Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Rice (Direct Seeded), Bajra : Chari (Fodder Purpose), Kharif Onion (N 53), Early Cauliflower (Early Kunwari , Pusa Deepali ), Radish ( Japanese White, Chinese Pink, Pusa Chetaki ), Frenchbean ( Contender, VL Boni , Pusa Parvati , Araka Komal ) Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Maize fodder, Maize + Legume fodder ( Blackgram , Kulthi, Seasame ) Blackgram : UG 218, Pant U 19, Him Blackgram 1 Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Early Cauliflower ( Early Kunwari , Pusa Deepal i), Radish (Japanese White, Chinese Pink, Pusa Chetaki , Pusa Himani ), Kharif Onion ( Palam Lohit , N 53, AFLR), Fababean

17. Crop Plan for Monsoon Delay by 8 Weeks 17 Farming Situation Crop Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Rice (Direct Seeded), Toria : Bhawani, Oats Fodder (PLP 1/ Kent ), Early Cauliflower (Early Kunwari , Pusa Deepali), Radish (Japanese White, Chinese Pink, Pusa Chetaki ), Frenchbean (Contender, VL Boni , Pusa Parvati, Araka Komal ). Upland Rain-fed, Loamy, Coarse, Loamy Skeletal, Deep to Medium deep Soils Maize, Toria (Bhawani), Oats Fodder (PLP 1/Kent), Early Cauliflower (Early Kunwari , Pusa Deepali), Radish (Japanese White, Chinese Pink, Pusa Chetaki ), Peas (Mater Ageta /Azad Pea 1).

18. In case of Early season drought , Gap filling is suggested if the plant population is greater than 50% otherwise re-sowing with 25% more seed rate is recommended for Maize, Wheat & Rice (Direct Seeded). While Gap filling is recommended for Transplanted Rice. Top dressing of Nitrogen fertilizer is suggested which should coincide with rain splashes, if any. In case of Terminal Drought , if crop stand is poor then the crops must be used as fodder crop and they must immediately go for land preparation with sowing of Early Varieties of Wheat (HPW 251). Besides the above, awareness, sensitivity and capacity building of all stakeholders are integral to implementation of the contingency plans and this is best done when plans are prepared through a participatory bottom-up process. Over a time these processes will lead to a self-reliant planning and implementation mechanism at the district level. 18

19. Conclusion Besides the above, awareness, sensitivity and capacity building of all stakeholders are integral to implementation of the contingency plans and this is best done when plans are prepared through a participatory bottom-up process. Over a time these processes will lead to a self-reliant planning and implementation mechanism at the district level. 19

20. 1. Core component of contingency crop planning includes Improved Crop Genotypes b. Intensive Cropping c. Change in Crop types d. a & c 2. SW Monsoon winds contribute ___________ to the total annual rainfall in India 80-90% b. 70-80% c. 75-90% d. 85-90% 3. Gap filling or re-sowing is advisable during period of Early Season drought b. Mid Season drought c. Late season drought d. none 4. In case of Delayed Monsoon-arriving prior to cut off date for sowing, which is preferred Contingent Crop b. Soil-Moisture Conservation Measures c. Short duration Variety d. None 5. Moisture stress can be alleviated using foliar spray of ___________ K 2 SO 4 b. KNO 3 c. KCl d . b & c 6. Medium & Long term strategies for contingent plan include Watersheds b. Crop-residue recycling c. Agro-forestry d. All e. None 7. Terminal drought influences a. Harvesting b. Grain yield c. Rabi Sowing d. All 20 Questions

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