Rainfed agriculture refers to agricultural production systems in which crop growth depends primarily on precipitation rather than the regular application of irrigation water. It is practiced across diverse climatic and ecological settings, including humid, subhumid, semi-arid, and arid regions, and supports a substantial share of global food production and rural livelihoods ^[1][2]. Its productivity is strongly influenced by the amount, timing, and variability of rainfall, as well as by soil properties, topography, and atmospheric conditions. Management strategies therefore focus on capturing and conserving rainfall, improving soil water infiltration and storage, reducing evaporation and runoff, and matching crop varieties and planting schedules to local water availability ^[2]. At broader scales, rainfed agriculture is closely connected to rural development, climate adaptation, agricultural investment, and water governance. Its sustainability depends on coordinated management of land, soil, and water resources under changing climatic conditions ^[1].