Rainfed agriculture is highly dependent on timing and duration of rainfall making crop production vulnerable to prolonged dry periods. Jammu’s Kandi belt receives very low rainfall posing as a challenge for farmers increasing the need for locally adaptable approaches to sustain food production. Biochar, a locally producible carbon-rich material obtained through pyrolysis of agricultural residues, has the potential to improve soil structure, nutrient retention and long-term carbon storage, thereby supporting productivity and resilience in rainfed smallholder systems. Biodegradable films which are an alternative to plastic mulch can be used to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Cyanobacterial biofertilizers cultivated through simple on farm methods provide a low-cost route to improve soil health which can help in reducing the over dependence on chemical fertilizers. This review brings these three approaches together to outline a practical pathway toward more resilient rainfed farming.
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Biochar, Biostimulants, Cyanobacteria, Pyrolysis
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