National Convention on Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture on Feb 14-15

Keeping in view the need for sustainable development of Rainfed Agriculture and bringing these areas into the growth path, the RRA Network along with several collaborating organizations has come together to organize the National Convention on Revitalizing Rainfed Agriculture on February 14-15, 2019 at India International Center (IIC), New Delhi. 

The convention will discuss with the various stakeholders current issues, challenges, opportunities and emphasize Rainfed Agriculture as an issue of national importance. Around 250 participants comprising policy makers from Union Government and State Government, representatives of farmers' groups, civil societies, researchers, and academicians will discuss and deliberate on various thematic issues of Rainfed Agriculture. 

Major expectation of this convention is to build a consensus on need of differential policies and programs for rainfed areas of the country to address agrarian crisis. The convention will also discuss about nature of public investment required for rainfed area which aimed at ease of doing farming for rainfed farmers and helps in their livelihood security. Based on experiences of several stakeholders, state governments would look to design special programs to address issues of rainfed agriculture in their respective state.

Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture (RRA) Network, formed in 2010 is a pan India network of more than 600 members, including eminent academics, policy makers, farmer and civil society organizations that work to influence public systems, policy and investments for productive, prosperous and resilient rainfed agriculture.  

A region is classified as rainfed, if assured irrigation is provided to less than 40% of the net sown area. Rainfed agriculture however is characterized by varied agro-climatic conditions, undulating terrain and poor soil fertility. Crop loss due to dry spells and intense wet spells is a recurring phenomenon. Historical imbalances in public investment in rainfed agriculture resulted in the current agrarian crisis and inspired the formation of RRA N.