Does Melia dubia need irrigation and how do I keep survival high in dry areas?

Melia dubia grows fast mainly when it has enough moisture, especially in the first two years. In dry areas without any irrigation, survival and growth drop sharply and you may lose many plants in a bad dry spell. If your land is truly rainfed with no water, Melia is a risky choice and a hardier dryland species may suit better. If you can give even limited support, such as drip or pitcher watering for the first two summers, you can establish the trees and then they manage better once roots go deep. Plant at the start of the monsoon so young plants get the full rainy season, use good clonal stock, mulch the basins to hold moisture, and keep weeds away from the young plants. Be realistic, on harsh dryland with zero water the high growth claims will not hold.