Types of Cropping Systems | Agriculture Optional Notes for UPSC PDF Download

Cropping System

• The cropping system refers to the combination of crops, crop sequences, and management practices used on a specific agricultural field over several years.
• It encompasses the cropping pattern and the management techniques applied.
• A system implies a set of inter-related and interacting components.
• The main objectives of any cropping system are:
• To utilize resources such as land, water, and solar radiation efficiently.
• To maintain production stability and achieve higher net returns.

Types of Cropping Systems:

• Various types of cropping systems are employed to enhance agricultural productivity.

Improving Crop Production:

• Crop production can be improved by: 
• Expanding the area under cultivation, which is challenging due to limited land resources. 
• Increasing productivity per unit area through sustainable farming practices. 
• Enhancing production per unit time through efficient implementation of cropping systems.

 Cropping Pattern

• Cropping pattern refers to the proportion of land area dedicated to different crops at a specific time. It is not static; it changes over time and across different regions. 
•  It involves the rotation of crops commonly practiced by farmers in a particular area, the arrangement of crops in terms of time and space, and the yearly sequence and spatial arrangement of crops or crops and fallow land in a given area. 
• Cropping pattern also considers the proportion of area under various crops at a specific point in time within a unit area. 

Cropping Pattern in India:

• To understand the major cropping patterns in India, we can look at the predominant crops in different regions.
• Identifying Cropping Patterns.
• Step 1: Identify the crop with the highest percentage of sown area in a region; this is considered the base crop.
• Step 2: Consider other significant crops grown in the region to determine the cropping pattern.
• Examples:
• Maharashtra: Cotton is the base crop, and jowar is a significant alternative crop, resulting in a cropping pattern of cotton-jowar.
• Eastern States (Bengal, Assam, Orissa): Rice is the base crop, with jute and tea as significant alternatives, leading to a cropping pattern of rice-jute-tea.

Mixed Farming 

• Mixed farming is a farming system that combines various activities such as crop production, raising livestock, poultry, fisheries, and beekeeping on the same farm. The goal is to meet the diverse needs of the farmer while ensuring sustainability. 
• In mixed farming, different agricultural practices are carried out simultaneously to take advantage of their mutual benefits. For instance, in India, cattle dung is used as organic manure, and when livestock productivity is low, these animals can be utilized for milk, meat, and other products. This system provides a regular income for farmers. 
• The main objective of mixed farming is to achieve subsistence with higher profitability without disrupting the ecological balance, which is crucial for the farming system. 

Cropping System in Mixed Farming:

• Cropping system is a vital aspect of mixed farming. It involves the strategic use of organic manure from domesticated animals and the integration of different agricultural activities. 
• For example, in some regions of Eastern India, fish farming is combined with rice cultivation, utilizing the nutrients from fish waste to enhance soil fertility. 
• By adopting mixed farming practices, farmers can establish a proper cropping system that promotes sustainability and productivity. 

Types of Cropping System: 

• Mono cropping is the practice of growing the same crop on the same piece of land year after year. For instance, cultivating rice on the same field annually without rotating with other crops. 

Multiple Cropping: Multiple cropping involves growing two or more crops on the same field within a single year. This approach intensifies cropping in both time and space dimensions, without compromising soil fertility. Key features of multiple cropping include: 

•  Growing two or more crops on the same land either simultaneously or at different times during the year. 
•  Planting crops that enhance soil fertility, such as sowing pulses after rice to increase nitrogen levels in the soil. 
•  Generally using short-duration crop varieties. 

 However, the adoption of multiple cropping may be limited by factors such as low irrigation intensity and the use of long-duration crop varieties. 

Types of Multiple Cropping

Intercropping: 

• Intercropping involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land with a specific row arrangement or fixed ratio. This practice enhances cropping intensity in the spatial dimension. For example, cultivating maize, soybean, and oats in a particular row arrangement with a specified cropping ratio, such as 9:1 for wheat and mustard. 

Cropping Intensity: Cropping intensity refers to the number of crops raised from the same field during one agricultural year. It is calculated using the formula: 

 Cropping Intensity = (Gross Cropped Area / Net Sown Area) x 100 

•  Gross Cropped Area is the total area of land multiplied by the number of times it is cultivated in a year. 
•  Net Sown Area is the area of the same piece of land considered only once in a year. 

 In India, the average cropping intensity is 136%, which is relatively low compared to developed countries where it exceeds 200%. 

Multi-storeyed/Multitiered/Multilevel Cropping: 

•  Multi-storeyed cropping refers to the simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops of different heights on the same piece of land. This practice is common in orchards and plantation crops, maximizing the use of solar energy even under high planting density. For example, growing sugarcane, mustard, and onion or potato together, where taller crops provide shade and nutrients to shorter crops. 
•  This method is particularly beneficial for crops like coffee, where taller trees provide essential shade for coffee plants, facilitating their growth.

Mixed Cropping

Mixed cropping involves growing two or more crops together on the same piece of land without a specific row pattern or fixed ratio. This method is typically used in dryland areas of India and is a form of subsistence farming. The primary goal of mixed cropping is to reduce the risk of total crop failure and to meet the farmer's needs for food and fodder.

Key Features of Mixed Cropping:

• Simultaneous Cultivation: Two or more crops are sown at the same time.
• Broadcasting Method: Seeds are usually sown by broadcasting, which means spreading them evenly over the soil.
• Risk Reduction: This method helps mitigate the risk of losing the entire crop due to adverse conditions.
• Food and Fodder Security: It ensures a steady supply of food and fodder for the farmer's needs.

Intercropping:. Modern Approach

Intercropping is a more recent concept related to mixed cropping. It involves growing different crops in proximity on the same land, but with a defined row pattern. This method aims to maximize the use of resources and increase overall productivity.

Benefits of Mixed Cropping:

• Enhanced Biodiversity: Growing multiple crops together promotes biodiversity and improves soil health.
• Pest and Disease Management:. diverse crop mix can help in managing pests and diseases naturally.
• Improved Soil Fertility: Different crops have varying nutrient requirements and can enhance soil fertility when grown together.

Sequence or Sequential Cropping: Growing two or more crops in quick succession on the same piece of land during a farming year.

• The next crop is planted after the previous one has been harvested, without any overlap between the two crops.
• For example, after harvesting maize, potato is sown, and after harvesting potato, chili is sown.

Ratoon Cropping: Ratoon cropping is a method where a new crop is grown from the lower part or suckers of a plant without replanting the entire crop.

• This method is commonly used in crops like sugarcane and bananas.
• It is also known as stubble cropping, re-harvesting, or second crop.
• Example: Growing a new crop of sugarcane from the leftover part of the harvested plant.

Relay Cropping: Relay cropping is a method of growing two or more crops simultaneously during the life cycle of each.

• A second crop is planted after the first crop has reached its reproductive stage of growth but before it is ready for harvest. 
• For example, planting potato before harvesting maize. 
• This method is also called overlapping cropping.