This publication will provide for the educational requirements of students concerning rainfed agriculture. The chapters have been carefully selected and organized in a manner that will guide students through the entire scope of rainfed agriculture, encompassing both theoretical and practical aspects. The book is supplemented with relevant illustrations and diagrams to enhance comprehension.

The content is presented in a manner and sequence that facilitates students' comprehension and application of the concepts related to rainfed agriculture. This systematic approach will enable them to develop a consistent understanding of the subject matter and approach problems with a reasonable degree of uniformity.

The broad chapters included in the book are: Rainfed agriculture: Introduction, types, characteristics, distribution and importance; History of rainfed agriculture & watershed in India; Problems and prospects of rainfed agriculture in India ; Soil and climatic conditions prevalent in rainfed areas; Drought: types, effect of water deficit on physio- morphological characteristics of the plants, Mechanism of crop adaptation under moisture deficit condition; Water harvesting: importance, its techniques, Efficient utilization of water through soil and crop management practices, Study of mulches and antitranspirants; Management of crops in rainfed areas; Contingent crop planning for aberrant weather conditions; Concept, objective, principles and components of watershed management, factors affecting watershed management; Integrated watershed development. The need for comprehensive information on rainfed farming relevant to undergraduate and postgraduate students of agriculture has been felt for quite some time. The advanced, diverse and need-based topics have been together for a systematic and comprehensive reading by the students and faculty in agriculture.

R.K.Nanwal: Professor (Retd), Department of Agronomy, CCS Haryana Agricultural University Hisar 125 004, Haryana, India

1. Rainfed Agriculture:  Introduction,  Types,  Characteristics Distribution and Importance
2. Rainfed Agriculture  and  Watershed  Management:A  Historic  View
3. Problems and Prospects  of  Rainfed Agriculture in India
4. Climatic  and Soil Conditions Prevalent in Rainfed Areas 
5. Drought:  Types,  Effect  on  Plants,  Mechanism  of  CropAdaptation  under  Drought  Conditions 
6. Water  Harvesting:  Importance,  its  Techniques,  EfficientUtilization of Water through Soil and Crop Management Practices, Study of Mulches and Antitranspirants
7. Management  of  Crops  in  Rainfed Areas
8. Contigent  Crop Planning  for Aberrant Weather Conditions
9. Watershed Management: Definition, Objectives,  Concepts Approach, Components, Steps  in  Implementation  of Watershed 
10. Watershed  Management  in  India
11. Integrated  Watershed  Development
12. Practical  Exercise