Dryland Crops.

If you’re looking for crops that require less water and rainfall, the best choices are drought-resistant and dryland crops that can survive with minimal irrigation. These crops are ideal for regions with low rainfall (200-600 mm annually) and can be grown using water-saving techniques like drip irrigation, mulching, and rainwater harvesting.

1. Best Crops for Low-Rainfall Areas

A. Food Grains & Cereals (Drought-Tolerant)

1. Millets (Best Choice for Low Rainfall)
   • Pearl Millet (Bajra) – Grows well in sandy and dry soils, requires only 250-400 mm rainfall.
   • Sorghum (Jowar) – Can grow in semi-arid regions with 300-500 mm rainfall.
   • Finger Millet (Ragi) – Drought-resistant and high in calcium.
   • Foxtail Millet & Proso Millet – Excellent alternatives for drylands.
2. Maize (Corn)
   • Can grow with 300-500 mm rainfall.
   • Requires deep soil with good moisture retention.
3. Barley & Oats
   • Can tolerate drought and requires 250-500 mm rainfall.
   • Grows in sandy and loamy soils.
4. Wheat (Drought-Tolerant Varieties)
   • Some wheat varieties can grow with 300-600 mm rainfall.
   • Requires good soil moisture conservation.

B. Pulses & Legumes (Water-Efficient Protein Sources)

1. Chickpeas (Gram)
   • Requires 200-400 mm rainfall.
   • Improves soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.
2. Lentils (Masoor Dal)
   • Grows well in drylands with 250-400 mm rainfall.
3. Pigeon Pea (Tur/Arhar Dal)
   • Deep-rooted crop that survives dry conditions with 300-500 mm rainfall.
4. Mung Beans & Cowpeas
   • Grow well in sandy soil with low water needs.

C. Oilseeds (Drought-Resistant Crops for Oils)

1. Groundnut (Peanut)
   • Can grow with 400-600 mm rainfall.
   • Requires well-drained soil.
2. Mustard & Rapeseed
   • Require 250-500 mm rainfall.
   • High-value cash crops.
3. Sesame (Til)
   • Requires 200-400 mm rainfall.
   • Tolerates drought and grows in poor soil.
4. Sunflower
   • Grows with 300-600 mm rainfall.
   • Can survive in dry conditions.

D. Fruits & Trees (Low-Water Fruit Crops)

1. Ber (Indian Jujube)
   • Can survive in 100-300 mm rainfall.
2. Pomegranate
   • Drought-resistant, needs 200-400 mm rainfall.
3. Guava
   • Requires 300-600 mm rainfall and minimal irrigation.
4. Date Palm
   • Can survive in deserts with less than 200 mm rainfall.
5. Fig (Anjeer)
   • Requires 250-400 mm rainfall.
6. Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
   • Grows well in dryland areas.

E. Vegetables (Drought-Tolerant Varieties)

1. Drumstick (Moringa)
   • Needs minimal water and grows in dry soil.
2. Bottle Gourd, Bitter Gourd, & Ridge Gourd
   • Can grow with limited irrigation.
3. Okra (Bhindi)
   • Requires low water and grows well in summer.
4. Tomatoes (Drought-Resistant Varieties)
   • Requires careful water management.
5. Onions & Garlic
   • Grow well in dry conditions.

2. Best Water-Saving Techniques for Dryland Farming

1. Drip Irrigation – Supplies water directly to plant roots, reducing wastage.
2. Mulching – Covering soil with dry leaves, straw, or plastic to reduce evaporation.
3. Rainwater Harvesting – Collecting rainwater in ponds or storage tanks for irrigation.
4. Contour Farming & Terracing – Reduces water runoff in sloping lands.
5. Agroforestry – Growing trees alongside crops to improve soil moisture retention.
6. Zero-Tillage Farming – Reducing plowing to conserve soil moisture.

3. Profitability & Business Opportunities

• Selling drought-resistant crops in dry regions can be highly profitable.
• Millets, pulses, and oilseeds are high-demand, low-maintenance crops.
• Value-Added Processing: Millet flour, cold-pressed oils, and packaged pulses fetch higher profits.
• Export Potential: Countries with dry climates (e.g., Africa, Middle East) have high demand for these crops.

If you are in a low-rainfall region, cultivating drought-resistant crops can help you save water, reduce costs, and earn profits. Combining water-saving techniques with high-demand crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds will maximize yields.