Research Projects

Rural Karnataka faces water scarcity and environmental issues due to its arid and semi-arid climates. Agrotechnology is needed to enhance ecosystem services of water and energy. Erratic and high intensity rains can cause runoff, soil erosion, and reservoir siltation. Redesigning existing cropping systems into scientific agro-forestry can assimilate more carbon from the atmosphere. Earthen water storage structures will be covered with solar panels, allowing for electricity generation and obstructing evaporation losses of stored water. This project aims to efficiently utilize natural resources, create productive production units, and reduce environmental pollution through carbon sequestration. Unscientific management of seasonal runoff leads to soil erosion and siltation. This study aims to develop collective strategies for scientific management of seasonal runoff to enhance ecosystem services. Four agro-forestry models will be integrated to study the impact of enhanced light hours on cropping intensity, photosynthesis, water productivity, and carbon sequestration. The study will assess four agro-forestry systems for productivity and profitability under gradients of enhanced light hours using solar-generated electricity.