1. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics In the Lesson 1 of this Module the importance of drought planning is explained briefly. The second Lesson in this Module is about strategies to mitigate drought.

2. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought After completing this Lesson you have learned to answer: 1.What is the common myth concerning droughts among people? 2.What are the features in drought planning? 3.Why drought planning is important? 4.What is the major impediment in planning for drought relief? 5.Why planning for drought relief is not successful? 6.Who should be involved in drought planning at village level? Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

3. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Drought is a common occurrence in India. So, it is important that we are prepared to face this inevitable natural hazard. Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

4. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought The most important myth concerning droughts is that nothing can be done to prevent them or to respond effectively once they have started. In fact, small-scale measures can have a significant impact, and with proper forethought the ravaging effects of droughts can often be substantially reduced. Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

5. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Being prepared for what may happen in the future makes one self reliant. When we react to drought only in the “crisis mode”, or as an emergency situation, we are not able to be self sufficient. Planning ahead to mitigate drought gives farmers and decision makers the chance to relieve the most suffering at the least expense. Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

6. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought So, we should have plans in place before a drought begins. A plan that has strategies and tactics for before drought, during drought, and after drought is essential. Drought planning can be done at farmers, village, region, State and at the Country levels. Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

7. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Planning for drought is essential, but it may not come easily. There are many constraints to drought relief planning. One of the major impediments to drought relief planning is its cost. Officials may find it difficult to justify the costs of a plan, which are immediate and fixed. Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

8. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Studies have shown that crisis-oriented drought response efforts have been largely ineffective, poorly coordinated, untimely, and inefficient in terms of the resources allocated. Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

9. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Drought planning at farmers and community level is not cost intensive. We should plan for what to do during a drought and also how to recover from it. It is best to involve everyone who is affected in the planning process, including, farmer families and farm workers. Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

10. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought Impact of drought can be mitigated through a number of good agricultural practices. For drought planning farmers should be aware of such practices to overcome from the risk from drought. Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought?

11. Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Course on Coping with Drought About Drought This concludes Lesson 1: Why we plan for drought? - in this Module. If you would like to check your understanding about weather forecasting, click “Exercise” button. Next, in the Lesson 2, the strategies for drought mitigation through good agricultural practices are very briefly explained. Click “Lessons” button to select Lesson 2 Exercise Reducing risk from Drought Course on Coping with Drought Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics Lessons