Rainfall Variability and Rice Sustainability: An Evaluation Study of Two Distinct Rice-Growing Ecosystems

Masoud K. Barati, V. S. Manivasagam, Mohammad Reza Nikoo, Pasoubady Saravanane, Alagappan Narayanan and Sudheesh Manalil
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Masoud K. Barati: Amrita School for Sustainable Development, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Clappana PO, Kollam 690525, India
V. S. Manivasagam: Amrita School of Agricultural Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, J. P. Nagar, Arasampalayam, Myleripalayam, Coimbatore 642109, India
Mohammad Reza Nikoo: Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat 123, Oman
Pasoubady Saravanane: Department of Agronomy, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture & Research Institute, Karaikal 609603, India
Alagappan Narayanan: Department of Agronomy, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru College of Agriculture & Research Institute, Karaikal 609603, India
Sudheesh Manalil: Amrita School of Agricultural Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, J. P. Nagar, Arasampalayam, Myleripalayam, Coimbatore 642109, India

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 8, 1-20

Abstract: The inconsistency of the Indian monsoon has constantly threatened the country’s food production, especially key food crops such as rice. Crop planning measures based on rainfall patterns during the rice-growing season can significantly improve the sustainable water usage for water-intensive crops such as rice. This study examines the variability of Indian monsoonal rainfall in rainfed and irrigated rice-cultivating regions to improve rainfall utilization and irrigation water-saving practices. Two distinct rice-growing conditions in southern peninsular India are chosen for this study. The preliminary seasonal rainfall analysis (1951–2015) showed anomalies in the Sadivayal (rainfed rice) region compared to the Karaikal (irrigated rice). The dry-spell analysis and weekly rainfall classification suggested shifting the sowing date to earlier weeks for the Thaladi season (September–February) and Kar season (May–September) to avoid exposure to water stress in Sadivayal. Harvesting of excess rainwater during the wet weeks is proposed as a mitigation strategy for Karaikal during the vegetative stage of the Kuruvai season (June–October) and Late Thaladi season (October–February), where deficit rainfall is expected. Results showed that an adaptation strategy of early sowing is the most sustainable measure for rainfed rice cultivation. However, harvesting the excess rainwater is an ideal strategy to prevent water stress during deficient rainfall periods in irrigated rice farming. This comparative study proposes a comprehensive rainfall analysis framework to develop sustainable water-efficient rice cultivation practices for the changing rainfall patterns.

Keywords: rainfall variability; sustainable cropping strategies; irrigation planning; rainfed rice; Cauvery delta; rainfall trend analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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