Agro Climate Zones

Agro Climate Zones

In General, the plateau region of Chotanagpur and Santhal Parganas is characterized by humid and sub humid tropical monsoon in sub zone IV, sub humid to subtropical in sub zone V and humid to sub-tropical in sub zone VI, undulating Plateau, hills and mountains, non existence of perennial rivers, initially high forest cover, which is depleting fast due to mineral and industrial exploitation and encroachment, concentration of tribal population in many areas with a life style geared to forest ecology, pockets with chronic drought conditions, erratic rainfall, low ground water level, high soil erosion, insufficient agricultural dairy and fishery activities, rising agricultural unemployment and acute poverty. Important characteristics of the three sub zones are:

Sub Zone IV:

1. Low water relentive capacity of the soil particularly that of uplands.

2. Late arrival and early cessation of monsoon and erratic and uneven distribution of rainfall.

3. Lack of safe disposal of runoff water during monsoon and water storage and moisture conservation practices for raising Rabi crops.

4. Drying of tanks and wells by February results in no Rabi crop production.

Sub Zone V:

1. Late arrival and early cessation of monsoon.

2. Erratic /uneven distribution of rainfall.

3. Low water retentive capacity of soils.

4. Lack of soil and water conservation practices

Sub Zone VI:

1. Uneven distribution of rainfall.

2. Low water holding capacity.

3. Eroded soils.

4. Poor soil fertility.