It incorporates southern Maharashtra, Karnataka, western Andhra Pradesh and northern Tamil Nadu. The temperature of July month lies between 26°C to 42°C, that of January month be­tween 13°C-21°C with annual rainfall between 50 cm-100 cm.

The climate is semi-arid with only 50 per cent of area cultivated, 81 per cent of dry land farming, and low cropping intensity of 111 per cent. Low value cereals and minor millets predominate. Coffee, tea, cardamom and spices are grown along the hilly slopes of Karnataka plateau.

Suggested strategies include: (a) diversion of 20 per cent of area under jowar/bajra/ragi to ground- nut/sesamum/sunflower, (b) cultivation of soyabean/ safflower on residual moisture after rice, (c) devel­opment of horticulture, (d) restoration of tank irriga­tion by taking appropriate measures of deepening, embanking etc., (e) use of water saving devices like sprinklers and drip system, (f) development of loca­tion specific dry land farming technology, viz. early fertilizer responsive varieties of jowar and rice, and (g) implementation of programmes for poultry farm­ing and dairy development.