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32-673 per cent.

Substantial increases in the area under

high-value crops (40 hectares in 2003 and 113 hectares in

2005) were observed.

In three years (2003-2005), the net yield advantage

and net monetary benefit per unit of water conserved for

watermelon and vegetables were 287.3 and 78.7 kg mm

-1

respectively. Net monetary benefits for vegetables and

watermelon were ¥147.1 and ¥83.4 (US$18 and US$10)

-1

respectively. This reflected a similar trend of net

monetary advantage per unit area of ¥9,253 and ¥5,246

(US$ 1,141 and US$647) ha

-1

respectively over three years

due to availability of water during the most critical stage

for these crops. Net returns of vegetables per unit of water

per unit area in 2005 were 3.5 times higher than in 2003.

Higher benefit-cost ratios were observed with vegetables

than watermelons during the pre- and post-project period.

Lucheba now boasts two animal health centres, one

computer-aided, internet-enabled farmers’ training centre

and one Vegetable Growers’ Association. Those who had

migrated to cities have returned to villages as the quality of

life is better than in the city. The village’s average per capita

income is twice as high as the provincial per capita income.

The future of family farming in rain-fed areas

These cases underscore the role of smallholder farming

in food security and environmental sustainability in India

and China. The integrated approach combines progress in

productivity, sustainability and impact on food security.

There are two key points to note:

• agriculture, and family farming in particular, should

be the clear focus of a goal related to food security and

environmental sustainability

• smallholder agriculture should enter the agenda not only

through a focus on productivity but also through a broader

agenda of sustainability and building system resilience.

The benefits of family farming in India and China go far

beyond resource degradation and scarcity and contribute

to societies at large. In these countries, rain-fed agriculture

provides food for about half the population, in many ways

thanks to the integrated management practices adopted by

farmers. Family farming in most regions, including India

and China, is undergoing rapid transformation due to

internal and external drivers such as population growth,

urbanization, migration and resource degradation. These

have contributed to increased pressure on local resources,

unsustainable practices in land use, disintegration of local

customs and traditions, and increased vulnerability to

global change.

Smallholders in these regions have shown the potential

to bridge large yield gaps by actively adapting to change.

However, these efforts need to be supported by enabling

policies that will help them adapt to ongoing changes in

a sustainable way, to achieve sustainable livelihoods and

maintain important ecosystem services. National policies

need to support secure land tenure, access to resources

and to empower women to promote family farming in these

regions. The same is true for extension services that support

farmers in achieving sustainable farming practices through

advice in areas such as appropriate use of external inputs

including seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Innovative tech-

nologies and traditional knowledge need to be carefully

integrated to increase and restore resilience along with

better access to markets through collective cooperation.

Grading and packing of green chilli and vegetables, which are then loaded onto a lorry for transport in Lucheba watershed, China

Images: ICRISAT

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