Drought-Prone Area Programme (DPAP)

Let us begin with a basic but essential question:
What exactly is drought? Is it simply a lack of rain?

The answer is both yes and no. Drought is not just a climatic event, it is also an economic and ecological crisis—especially in a country like India where agriculture is rain-dependent.

At its core, drought occurs when an area receives less rainfall than it normally does, leading to shortage of water—not just for agriculture, but for household needs, industry, livestock, and even natural ecosystems.

For more details about drought you can refer here.

Drought-Prone Area Programme (DPAP) – A Planning Response

Recognizing the chronic vulnerability of large parts of India, the DPAP was launched in 1973 with the primary aim of addressing drought not just as a crisis, but as a structural problem.

✅ Core Objectives

• Sustainable resource use (land, water, livestock)
• Restoring ecological balance
• Stabilizing income, especially for weaker sections—small farmers, marginal farmers, and landless labourers

Key Components of DPAP

Let’s now break down the major interventions—each aimed at reducing vulnerability and building long-term resilience:

1. Water Resource Development
   • Construction and desilting of tanks, reservoirs, canals
   • Promotes water conservation and rainwater harvesting
2. Soil and Moisture Conservation
   • Techniques like bunding, terracing, contour ploughing
   • Helps retain soil fertility and groundwater recharge
3. Afforestation & Social Forestry
   • Planting trees to prevent erosion, create microclimates, and generate non-farm income
4. Pasture Land Development
   • Focus on range management and sheep rearing
   • Supports fodder availability during dry periods
5. Livestock & Dairy Development
   • Since agriculture is unreliable during drought, livestock provides income stability
   • Promotion of cattle sheds, veterinary services, milk collection centers
6. Agronomic Interventions
   • Crop diversification, drought-resistant crops, and modification of farming practices
7. Support to Weaker Sections
   • Focus on credit access, subsidies, and training
   • Yet this remains more of an intent than a success (as we will see in drawbacks)
8. Allied Activities Promotion
   • Beekeeping, poultry, cottage industries to supplement farm income

Importance of Planning for Drought Areas

• 67% of India’s cultivated area is drought-prone.
• These regions are marked by low productivity, leading to:
  • Regional economic disparities
  • Strain on national resources (due to recurring relief and support)

So, drought-prone area planning is not just for agriculture—it is a foundation for regional equity and national stability.

Drawbacks of DPAP – Where the System Falls Short

Despite its well-meaning design, DPAP suffers from key weaknesses:

❌ 1. Faulty Targeting

• Intended beneficiaries like small farmers and landless workers often remain excluded

❌ 2. Administrative Inefficiencies

• Understaffing, delays, and lack of local capacity hamper execution

❌ 3. Weak Planning

• Plans are generic, not tailored to local conditions

❌ 4. Information Gaps

• Planners lack data on area-specific resources, making interventions less effective

❌ 5. Duplication and Overlap

• Similar schemes run by multiple agencies, leading to wastage and confusion

✅ Concluding Insight

DPAP is a classic example of how area-based planning in India tries to address environmental vulnerability and social backwardness together.
However, the success of such programs depends not just on design, but on local implementation, transparency, and community participation.

Droughts may be natural, but their impact is deeply man-made—which means that thoughtful planning can also undo the damage.