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How does dry farming grow crops in areas with low rainfall?

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A green cotton combine harvests a field of mature cotton plants, with white cotton bolls visible across the landscape. — Agricultural technology Cotton combine harvesting a cotton field.

Dry farming is an agricultural system designed to produce crops without irrigation in regions receiving less than 20 inches (50 cm) of annual precipitation. Success relies on the efficient storage of limited soil moisture and the use of specialized cultivation methods.12

Key techniques include:
* Moisture Conservation: Farmers till land shortly after harvest and keep fields free of weeds to prevent moisture loss. In some regions, stubble is left to trap snow.12
* Soil Management: Practices such as deep plowing, subsurface packing, and alternating-summer fallow help manage water availability and prevent runoff and erosion.12
* Crop Selection: Farmers choose drought-resistant crops, like sorghum, which can reduce transpiration, or drought-evasive crops that mature during less severe weather. These plants are typically smaller and spaced further apart than those grown in humid climates.13

By systematically combining these soil management and cultivation practices, farmers can maximize the utility of scarce water resources.2