Disasters, Risk Management, Mitigation and Preparedness in Agriculture through Efficient Crop and Water Management

Abstract

This study analyzed the impacts of natural disasters (particularly typhoons, floods and droughts) on agriculture, food security and the water resources and environment in India. It aimed to propose strategies to how best to respond to the impacts of natural disasters in agriculture. In general, the study found that droughts, floods and cyclones have an insignificant impact on overall agricultural production at the national level. Drought management strategies were emphasized through judicious use of surface and groundwater, selection of crops, cropping sequences and agronomic practices, ensuring availability of quality fodder to animals and proper livestock management, promotion of subsidiary income and employment-generating activities, gainful implementation of government schemes, deployment of information technology for gathering and disseminating information almost on realtime basis. Water management under irrigated and rain-fed ecosystem was also vividly discussed in this paper.