Drylands: Huge untapped potential

Current farmers’ yields are lower by 2 to 5 folds than the achievable yields

Vast potential of rainfed agriculture needs to be harnessed

0

2

4

6

8

1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012

Yie

ld (

t h

a-1)

Year

BW1

BW4

Rate of growth

Rate of growth20 kg ha-1 y-1

Carrying Capacity27.2 persons ha-1

Carrying Capacity4.8 persons ha-1

Observed potential yield

Bhoochetana_ Soil Rejuvenation as an entry point

Sustainable land management on global agenda • Enhance awareness amongst

different stakeholders (farmers – policymakers and local to global levels

• Scaling-up for impacts?• Campaign to rejuvenate

degraded lands: Bhoochetana• The Economics of Land

Degradation Initiative is crucial • Improved and sustained

ecosystems

ICRISAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium

We can and we must make the difference.

Thank you!