Understanding Drought-Prone Area Criteria

The question asks about the percentage of gross cropped area under irrigation required for an area to be excluded from the drought-prone category. This is a specific criterion often used in agricultural and regional planning to identify regions vulnerable to drought.

Defining Key Terms: Drought-Prone Area and Gross Cropped Area

• Drought-Prone Area: These are regions that are particularly susceptible to droughts, which are prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water. These areas often face significant challenges in agriculture due to unreliable water availability.
• Gross Cropped Area: This refers to the total area sown once as well as the area sown more than once in a year. When an area is sown more than once, the same area is counted as many times as it is sown. It provides a measure of the total intensity of cropping in a region.

The Irrigation Threshold for Exclusion

Irrigation plays a crucial role in mitigating the effects of drought by providing water to crops when rainfall is insufficient. Therefore, areas with a significant portion of their cultivated land under irrigation are less likely to be classified as drought-prone.

According to common criteria used in various assessments and reports, including those related to government schemes focused on drought management, an area is typically considered to be outside the drought-prone category if a certain percentage of its gross cropped area has assured irrigation facilities.

Let's look at the options provided:

The criterion for an area to be excluded from the drought-prone category is having 30 percent or more of its gross cropped area under irrigation. This threshold indicates a level of irrigation infrastructure substantial enough to significantly reduce the area's vulnerability to rainfall variability.

Conclusion on Drought Classification Criteria

Based on the standard definition for excluding an area from being classified as drought-prone based on irrigation coverage, the required percentage of gross cropped area under irrigation is 30 percent or more.

The final answer is $\boxed{\text{30 percent or more}}$.

Revision Table: Drought Criteria Summary

Additional Information: Drought Management and Irrigation

Understanding drought-prone areas is vital for effective water management and agricultural planning. Governments often identify these regions to implement special programs aimed at drought mitigation, such as:

• Developing irrigation infrastructure (canals, wells, pipelines).
• Promoting water-efficient irrigation techniques (drip, sprinkler).
• Encouraging cultivation of drought-resistant crops.
• Implementing watershed management programs.
• Providing financial support and crop insurance to farmers in vulnerable areas.

The classification helps in allocating resources and tailoring strategies to improve resilience against drought conditions. While irrigation percentage is a key factor, other elements like rainfall patterns, soil type, and existing water resources also contribute to an area's vulnerability profile.