Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics

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Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics
In the Lesson 1 of this Module the importance of
drought planning is explained briefly. The
second Lesson in this Module is about strategies
to mitigate drought.
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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?

• After completing this Lesson you have learned
  to answer
• What is the common myth concerning droughts among
  people?
• What are the features in drought planning?
• Why drought planning is important?
• What is the major impediment in planning for
  drought relief?
• Why planning for drought relief is not
  successful?
• Who should be involved in drought planning at
  village level?

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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?
Drought is a common occurrence in India.
So, it is important that we are prepared to face
this inevitable natural hazard.
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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?
The most important myth concerning droughts
is that nothing can be done to prevent them or to
respond effectively once they have started.
In fact, small-scale measures can have a
significant impact, and with proper forethought
the ravaging effects of droughts can often be
substantially reduced.
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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?
Being prepared for what may happen in the future
makes one self reliant. When we react to
drought only in the crisis mode, or as an
emergency situation, we are not able to be self
sufficient. Planning ahead to mitigate drought
gives farmers and decision makers the chance to
relieve the most suffering at the least expense.

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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?

• So, we should have plans in place before a
  drought
• begins.
• A plan that has strategies and tactics for before
  
• drought, during drought, and after drought is
• essential.
• Drought planning can be done at farmers, village,
  
• region, State and at the Country levels.

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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?
Planning for drought is essential, but it may
not come easily. There are many constraints to
drought relief planning. One of the major
impediments to drought relief planning is its
cost. Officials may find it difficult to justify
the costs of a plan, which are immediate and
fixed.
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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?
Studies have shown that crisis-oriented
drought response efforts have been largely
ineffective, poorly coordinated, untimely, and
inefficient in terms of the resources allocated.
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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?

• Drought planning at farmers and community
  level is not cost intensive.
• We should plan for what to do during a
  drought and also how to recover from it. It is
  best to involve everyone who is affected in the
  planning process, including, farmer families and
  farm workers.

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Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?
Impact of drought can be mitigated through a
number of good agricultural practices. For
drought planning farmers should be aware of such
practices to overcome from the risk from drought.
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Reducing risk from Drought
Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics
This concludes Lesson 1 Why we plan for drought?
- in this Module. If you would like to check
your understanding about weather forecasting,
click Exercise button. Next, in the Lesson 2,
the strategies for drought mitigation through
good agricultural practices are very briefly
explained. Click Lessons button to select
Lesson 2
Lessons
Exercise
Course on Coping with Drought