Rain-fed farming under the semi-arid climate is risky as rainfall during critical periods of the growth season is not always sufficient to secure the expected yield. Climate change results in increasing aridity in form of higher temperatures and resulting evapo-transpiration and reduced precipitation. Droughts are becoming more frequent and rainfall is less regular, sometimes in form of heavy rainshowers with limited amounts of water being infitrated into the soil and surface runoff causing erosion.

The application of zero tillage technology (also called direct seeding, direct sowing or direct drilling) where the seed of cultivated crops is placed without mechanical treatment of the topsoil is used for adaptation to these risks.  Within one operation the residues from previous crops and weeds are superficially removed, seeds are planted, fertilizer applied and covered by soil. Herbizides are used for weed control. A special drilling machine applies the suitable seed and fertilzer amount.