Rainfed Agriculture

Definition of Rainfed Agriculture

Rainfed agriculture is a farming system in which crop growth depends primarily on natural rainfall rather than on artificial irrigation systems. Water availability is governed by precipitation patterns, soil moisture retention, and local climate conditions, making rainfall timing and distribution central to crop success.

This form of agriculture is commonly practiced in regions where irrigation infrastructure is limited or impractical, and it relies heavily on soil management, crop selection, and seasonal planning to optimise water use.

Why Rainfed Agriculture Matters

Rainfed agriculture matters because it accounts for a large share of global food production, particularly in developing regions and dryland environments. Its importance includes:

• Supporting staple crop production such as cereals, pulses, and oilseeds

• Reducing dependence on freshwater withdrawals compared to irrigated systems

• Lower energy and infrastructure requirements

• High vulnerability to climate variability and drought

• Strong links to food security and rural livelihoods

Improving the resilience of rainfed agriculture is critical for climate adaptation, sustainable land management, and global food stability.

Key Characteristics of Rainfed Agriculture

• Dependence on Rainfall – Crop water supply comes from natural precipitation

• Seasonal Cropping Patterns – Planting aligned with rainfall cycles

• Soil Moisture Management – Practices such as mulching and conservation tillage are essential

• Climate Sensitivity – Yields strongly influenced by rainfall variability

• Low External Inputs – Reduced reliance on irrigation infrastructure

• Crop and Variety Selection – Use of drought-tolerant or early-maturing crops

• Risk Management Strategies – Diversification and adaptive practices reduce failure risk

Related Terms

• Irrigated Agriculture Systems

• Water Stewardship

• Dryland Farming

• Soil Conservation

• Climate-Smart Agriculture

• Sustainable Agriculture

Useful Resources on Rainfed Agriculture

Explore these authoritative resources to learn more about rainfed farming systems, water management, and climate resilience:

• FAO – Rainfed Agriculture and Water Management – Global guidance on improving productivity and resilience in rainfed systems.

• World Bank – Rainfed Agriculture and Food Security – Research on rainfed systems, poverty reduction, and climate adaptation.

• Our World in Data – Water Use in Agriculture – Data on global water sources and agricultural dependence on rainfall.

• AGRIS – Rainfed Farming Research Database – Peer-reviewed research on rainfed cropping systems and water efficiency.

• ICRISAT – Dryland and Rainfed Agriculture Research – Applied research focused on semi-arid and rainfed regions.

• OECD – Water Risk and Agriculture – Policy analysis on water scarcity and agricultural adaptation.

• IPCC – Climate Change and Agriculture Reports – Scientific assessments of climate impacts on rainfed systems.

• DEFRA – Water Management in Agriculture (UK) – Policy guidance relevant to rainfed and low-input systems.

• CABI – Dryland and Rainfed Farming Resources – Technical knowledge on rainfed crop production.

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation – Resilient Food Systems – Insights on resilience strategies relevant to rainfed agriculture.

• ScienceDirect - Scientific and technical peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on Rainfed Agriculture.