SAMUHA's objective in promoting Dry Land Horticulture is to provide an alternate livelihood option for resource-poor farmers. It aims to minimise the effect of crop loss on farmers and help them earn a sustainable income through horticultural plants.
The typical agroclimatic condition of these regions is suitable for production of certain fruits. Hardy and drought-resistant fruits like tamarind, mango, sapota, guava, annonaceous fruits, jamoon, and gooseberry can become commercial fruits in these areas.
The farmers have selected mango, sapota, lemon, and tamarind for plantation in their fields. They are also interested in planting varieties of vegetables for commercial and household use. Community borewells or streams will be the sources of water during summer.
Growing fruit crops under rainfed conditions has advantages. It assures the farmer of a supplemental income in case of seasonal crop failure and land where other crops do not grow can also be used for this kind of cultivation.
The plantation of horticulture crops is a long term investment. The first three years are the period of vegetative growth and during this period, fruiting is not allowed. Grafts may start flowering from the second year onwards but fruiting should be allowed only after the fourth year.
