About 400 million rural poor reside in about 200 poorest districts of the country that constitute rainfed areas. Scientific research has revealed a vast untapped potential in rainfed agriculture where crop yields are lower than their potential by two to five fold. A large number of innovative projects and ideas have been tried to address this issue, although documentation has been uneven and fragmented. Drawing upon such experiences, the handbook points towards new vistas and untapped opportunities in meeting the challenge of enhancing food security with limited water resources and improving the carrying capacities of rainfed areas to match the rapidly increasing populations in these regions and elsewhere.
Each volume presents a selection of best practices, articulation of basic principles, and description of strategies that are working on the ground -
While each volume can be read as a stand-alone. It is, however, best read in conjunction with the other volumes for a more holistic understanding of the livelihood augmentation processes. The structure of the presentation varies somewhat from volume to volume, depending on the nature of content. A navigation chart presented at the beginning brings out the connections between different parts and chapters of the volume. The index at the end of each volume helps the reader locate matter of his/her particular interest with relative ease.
Each volume comprises a) selected case studies of best practices, b) articulation of basic principles and ethical values and c) description of strategies. It also provides an understanding of why particular strategies work better in particular situations. The basic principles and strategies are derived from analyses of the case studies and other experiences and represent the transition from practice to theory. Analytical tools and frameworks used to understand strategies are included in the theory section.
The development of the handbook was facilitated by Development Support Centre, and supported by Aga Khan Foundation through the European Union funded SCALE Programme. The Aga Khan Foundation and Development Support Centre launched the handbook on 19th May 2011 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. In addition to broadening the vision of practitioners, it is hoped that the handbook will support policy makers and researchers in strengthening ongoing programmes.