Rainfall dynamics of agro-climatic zones in the Green Revolution belt of India

ABSTRACT The Green Revolution belt of India, comprising Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, has been a significant contributor to self-sufficiency in food grain production, thereby boosting the agricultural growth of the country. Agriculture, in general, is heavily reliant on monsoon patterns. In recent decades, climate change has led to shifts in these patterns, increasing the likelihood of extreme rainfall events such as droughts and floods. The present study analyses the annual and seasonal rainfall trends in the Green Revolution belt, categorised into agroclimatic zones, estimated by utilising the extensive repository of rainfall data obtained from the CHRS Data Portal pertaining to the geographical coordinates of each district. The study employs non-parametric Mann–Kendall and Sen's slope estimates to evaluate rainfall trends from 1983 to 2022. The findings indicate a discernible upward trend in rainfall across all zones except Zone 1 of Punjab, with the southwest monsoon emerging as the predominant source of precipitation in the area. The study highlights the need for water resource management in the Green Revolution belt as it is crucial for effectively harnessing the escalating rainfall in the region, particularly in view of concerns surrounding depleting groundwater levels.