Monsoon zone Flashcards
What is a monsoon
Winds that blow from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea to India, bringing large amounts of rain
Where are monsoons found
Found in SE Asia, Indian subcontinent, N tip of Australia - in these places rainfall determines season as high temperatures all year
How is rain distributed in India
Himalayan mountains and triangular shape funnel winds up, so leeward side dry and windward very wet
Latosols
Lack nutrients, leaching exacerbates, deep soils but easily eroded, high in aluminium oxide
Who has implemented monsoon adaptations
Indian Agricultural Research Institute
What are the monsoon adaptations for rice farming
Rice grown in nurseries, transplanted into 10-12cm deep flooded fields, best suited to lowland plains, labour intensive so best for an agrarian economy
What is the green revolution’s impact on rice farming
Swarna-Sub 1 rice made using Borlaug’s techniques, planted by nearly 4m Asian farmers, increased yields by 25% in Bay of Bengal
Challenges faced in the monsoon zone
1b face direct climate change impacts, expected 850m population increase by 2050, agrarian sector vulnerable
UNFAO role in monsoon zone
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation. Developed climate smart agriculture principles to work with seasonality and climate change. However, IARI implemented, and only Japan, Philippines and Vietnam members of Global Alliance for CSA
Where is the Mewat district
100km S of Delhi in Haryana state, W of Himalayas
Effect of the monsoon in the Mewat district on rainfall
Less than 20mm October to June, up to 180mm July to August
Mewat district temperature
15 degrees January, 35 degrees July
Mewat district environment
Mediterranean Chapparal
Mewat district soil
Aridosol
Temperature increases in the Mewat district
Every 10 years: 0.18 degrees in kharif season, 0.47 degrees in rabi season
Since when have IARI responded to threats
2012
IARI threat response: superior seed varieties
HYV, resilient, 12-18% yield increase with heat stress tolerant wheat
IARI threat response: conservation farming techniques
Preventing soil degradation (zero till), water conserved, cover crop used, farmland levelled (shallower relief improved water efficiency 15-20%)
IARI threat response: underground pipelines
40% more water efficient, 28% less labour hours
IARI threat response: greater crop diversification
Increase profits £320/ha
IARI threat response: weather forecast
mKRISHI platform for advice
