Concepts of Various Cropping and Farming Systems | UPSC CSE Mains (Agriculture Optional)

Agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy and a critical aspect for competitive exams like UPSC CSE Mains (Agriculture Optional). Cropping and farming systems form the core of agricultural practices and help optimize yield, resources, and sustainability. This blog explores various cropping and farming systems, including mixed farming, crop rotation, intercropping, and more, with insights into their relevance to UPSC aspirants.

Table of Contents

What is a Cropping System?

A Cropping System refers to the pattern and sequence of crops grown on a specific field over time, influenced by climate, soil, and available technology.

What is a Cropping Pattern?

The Cropping Pattern is the yearly sequence of crops grown in a specific field, influenced by geographical and economic factors.

What is a Crop Rotation?

Crop Rotation involves growing different crops in a sequence to improve soil health, reduce pests, and maximize productivity.

Principles of Crop Rotation:

Avoid growing the same crop successively.
Include legumes to restore nitrogen in the soil.
Deep-rooted crops are followed by shallow-rooted ones.

Benefits of Crop Rotation:

Improves soil structure and fertility.
Reduces pest and disease cycles.
Minimizes soil erosion.

Types of Cropping Systems

1. Mono Cropping

Mono cropping is the practice of growing the same or single crop year after year on the same land.

It could be due to climate, socio-economic factors, market demand, or the farmer's expertise in a specific crop.

Example:

In rainfed conditions, crops like groundnut, cotton, and sorghum are grown due to limited rainfall.
Flue-cured tobacco is cultivated in Guntur, AP, due to farmers' specialization.
Rice is commonly grown in canal-irrigated and waterlogged areas.

Disadvantage: Depletes soil nutrients, accelerates soil erosion and increases the risk of pests.
Solution: Crop rotation or cover crops to replenish soil nutrients.

2. Multiple Cropping

Growing two or more crops on the same land within a year is called multiple cropping, which intensifies cropping in both time and space.

Types of Multiple Cropping

A. Intercropping

Intercropping involves growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field.

Different intercropping systems are used across regions based on soil, rainfall, market prices, and other factors.

Example: Wheat + Mustard.
Principle: Crops should complement each other in terms of growth habits and nutrient requirements.
Significance: Reduces pest pressure and optimizes resource use.
Types of Intercropping:

Parallel Cropping: Crops with different growth habits, similar durations, and zero competition can be grown together. e.g., Black gram/Green gram + Maize
Multi-storeyed Cropping: Cultivating two or more crops of different heights simultaneously on the same land. e.g., Sugarcane + Mustard + Onion/Potato
Synergetic Cropping: It involves growing different crops together to boost growth and yield through mutual benefits. For example, planting maize with beans, where beans fix nitrogen in the soil, benefiting maize.
Intercropping Based on Plant Population Percentage:

Additive Series Intercropping: Planting an additional crop alongside a primary crop to boost total yield. For example, growing spinach among tomatoes to optimize space and increase productivity.
Replacement Series Intercropping: Substituting part of the main crop with another crop to optimize land use efficiency. For example, replacing some maize with beans to improve soil fertility and overall yield.

B. Mixed Cropping

Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same plot without a definite row arrangement.

Example: Maize and sorghum.
Objective: To diversify production, improve soil health, and reduce risk from pests and diseases.
Advantage:

Reduces the risk of total crop failure due to pests or diseases.
Enhances soil fertility through complementary crop interactions.
Maximizes land use efficiency.

Disadvantage:

This can lead to competition for resources (nutrients, water).
This may complicate management practices and harvesting.
Potential for reduced yields of individual crops compared to monoculture.

Difference Between Intercropping and Mixed Cropping

Parameter	Intercropping	Mixed Cropping
Planting Pattern	Defined and systematic.	Random planting without a specific pattern.
Risk Reduction	Higher risk reduction due to planned complementarity.	Risk reduction is less as there is no systematic layout.
Resource Use	More efficient use of resources.	Less efficient compared to intercropping.

C. Sequential or Sequence cropping or non-overlapping cropping

Growing multiple crops in quick succession on the same land within a farming year involves sowing a succeeding crop immediately after harvesting the previous one. For example, maize is harvested, then potatoes are sown; once potatoes are harvested, chillies are planted.

D. Relay Cropping or Overlapping cropping

Growing two or more crops simultaneously during part of their life cycles involves planting succeeding crops before harvesting the preceding ones.

Other Cropping Practices

1. Ratoon Cropping

The practice of growing new crops from the stubble or roots of a previous crop, rather than replanting from seeds. It’s commonly used in crops where the base plant can regenerate and produce additional harvests.

Example: After harvesting sugarcane, leaving the stubble allows new shoots to grow, which can be harvested in subsequent seasons.

2. Companion Cropping

The practice of planting different crops together in a way that benefits both through complementary growth patterns or interactions.

Catch Crop: A fast-growing crop planted between main crop cycles to utilize soil nutrients and prevent erosion.

Example: Planting radishes after harvesting wheat to capture residual nutrients.

Trap Crop: A plant grown to attract pests away from main crops, reducing pest damage.

Example: Growing marigolds near tomatoes to lure aphids away from the tomatoes.

Decoy Crop: Similar to trap crops, but primarily used to distract pests from the main crops.

Example: Planting mustard near cotton to divert bollworms from the cotton plants.

Repellent Crop: A plant that deters pests through its natural properties, protecting nearby crops.

Example: Planting garlic around lettuce to repel aphids and other pests.

Masking Crop: A plant used to obscure the presence of main crops, reducing their visibility to pests.

Example: Growing tall sunflowers around cucumbers to obscure them from pests.

Camouflage Crop: A plant that blends in with main crops, making it difficult for pests to locate the main crop.

Example: Interplanting beans among corn to disguise the presence of the corn and deter pests.

3. Contingency Cropping

Planting alternative crops in response to unexpected changes in weather, pests, or market conditions. It provides a backup plan to mitigate risks and ensure continued productivity.

Example: If a drought affects a primary crop like rice, a farmer might switch to a drought-resistant crop like sorghum

Farming System in India

A farming system refers to the integration of various agricultural practices and technologies within a specific environmental and socio-economic context to produce crops and livestock efficiently. It encompasses a whole range of agricultural activities, including crop cultivation, livestock management, and other farm operations, aimed at achieving sustainable productivity and profitability.

Mixed farming, on the other hand, is a specific type of farming system where both crop cultivation and livestock rearing are carried out on the same farm. This system contrasts with farming systems that might focus exclusively on either crops or livestock.

Differences Between Farming Systems and Mixed Farming

Aspect	Farming System	Mixed Farming
Definition	Organized way of managing crop and livestock activities.	Farming system where crops and livestock are integrated.
Primary Focus	Efficient use of land and resources.	Diversifying production with crops and animals.
Environmental Impact	Varies based on the system chosen.	Reduces environmental degradation due to resource recycling.
Economic Impact	Ensures sustained income from farming.	Provides income from both crops and livestock.

Types of Farming Systems in India

1. Subsistence Farming

Definition: A type of farming where the primary goal is to produce enough food to meet the needs of the farmer's family, with little or no surplus for sale.
Examples: Traditional rice farming in Assam, and maize and millet cultivation in parts of Rajasthan.

Principles: Low input, labour-intensive, minimal use of external resources, and reliance on traditional farming methods.

Advantages:

Provides food security to farm households.
Preserves traditional agricultural practices and biodiversity.
Low financial risk due to minimal investment.

Disadvantages:
- Limited surplus for market sales.
- Low productivity and income.
- Vulnerable to environmental and climatic changes.

2. Shifting Agriculture

Definition: Also known as slash-and-burn agriculture, this method involves clearing forested or bushy areas by cutting and burning vegetation to create farmland.
Examples: Cultivation in the tribal areas of Northeast India.

Principles: Land is used for a few years and left fallow for natural regeneration while farmers move to new areas.

Advantages:

Low initial cost and effort in land preparation.
Can be sustainable with appropriate fallow periods.

Disadvantages:
- This leads to deforestation and soil degradation if not managed properly.
- Reduces biodiversity.
- Low productivity due to nutrient depletion in the soil.

3. Intensive Farming

Definition: A farming system aimed at maximizing yield from available land through high inputs of labour, capital, and technology.
Examples: High-yield rice and wheat production in Punjab and Haryana.

Principles: High application of fertilizers, pesticides, and advanced technology to increase productivity.

Advantages:

High productivity and efficiency.
Better economic returns per unit area.

Disadvantages:
- High input costs and environmental pollution.
- Soil degradation due to excessive chemical use.
- Risk of reduced biodiversity.

4. Dryland Agriculture

Definition: Farming is practiced in regions with limited and erratic rainfall, where irrigation is not feasible.
Examples: Wheat and millet cultivation in Rajasthan, Maharashtra.

Dryland agriculture, based on rainfall, can be grouped into three categories:

Dry Farming: Cultivation of crops in areas with rainfall below 750 mm annually, focusing on drought-resistant crops and moisture conservation practices

Dryland Farming: Cultivation of crops in areas receiving 750 to 1,150 mm of rainfall annually, using specific techniques to manage water scarcity during critical crop growth periods.

Rainfed Farming: Cultivation of crops in areas with rainfall above 1,150 mm annually, relying entirely on natural rainfall without supplemental irrigation.

Principles: Utilizes drought-resistant crops and soil conservation practices.

Problems of Crop Production in Dryland

Low, Variable Yields: Uncertain and poor yields.
Inadequate Rainfall: Uneven, untimely rain disrupts crop growth.
Late/Early Rains: Delayed sowing, and early drought reduce yields.
Prolonged Dry Spells: Breaks in the rain cause crop failure.
Low Moisture Retention: Poor soils lead to water stress.
Low Soil Fertility: Limited moisture restricts fertilizer use.

Advantages:

Suits regions with scarce water resources.
Reduces dependency on irrigation infrastructure.

Disadvantages:
- Highly susceptible to climatic variability.
- Lower yields compared to irrigated farming.

5. Irrigation Farming

Definition: Farming that relies on the artificial application of water to crops to ensure adequate moisture for growth.

Examples: Rice cultivation in Kerala, and sugarcane farming in Uttar Pradesh.

Principles: Use of various irrigation methods such as drip, sprinkler, and flood irrigation to maintain soil moisture.

Advantages:

Consistent crop yields irrespective of rainfall variability.
Ability to cultivate multiple crops per year.

Disadvantages:
- High costs of infrastructure and maintenance.
- Risk of waterlogging and salinization.

6. Terrace Cultivation

Definition: A method of growing crops on the sides of hills or mountains by creating flat areas or terraces to prevent soil erosion and manage water.
Examples: Rice terraces in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand.

Principles: Utilizes contouring and terracing to manage water flow and prevent erosion.

Advantages:

Reduces soil erosion and water runoff.
Can increase arable land area in hilly regions.

Disadvantages:
- Labor-intensive and requires significant initial investment.
- Maintenance can be challenging.

7. Lay Farming

Definition: A form of farming practised in low-lying or flood-prone areas, often with controlled drainage and irrigation systems.
Examples: Paddy fields in Kerala.

Principles: Utilizes bunds and embankments to control water flow and prevent flooding.

Advantages:

Efficient use of available water resources.
Suitable for areas with seasonal flooding.

Disadvantages:
- High cost of infrastructure and maintenance.
- Risk of waterlogging if drainage is inadequate.

8. Sustainable Agriculture

Definition: An approach to farming that seeks to maintain productivity while conserving resources, protecting the environment, and improving the quality of life for farmers.
Examples: Organic farming practices, and agroforestry.

Principles: Emphasizes ecological balance, resource conservation, and social equity.

Components:

Crop Rotation: Alternating different crops to maintain soil health.
Organic Inputs: Using compost and green manures instead of synthetic fertilizers.
Conservation Tillage: Minimizing soil disturbance to enhance soil structure.

Advantages:

Promotes long-term environmental health and biodiversity.
Reduces dependence on chemical inputs.

Disadvantages:
- Lower immediate yields compared to conventional methods.
- Requires knowledge and adaptation of new techniques.

9. Integrated Farming System (IFS)

Definition: A holistic approach that combines crop production, livestock rearing, and other agricultural activities in a synergistic manner to optimize resource use and enhance productivity.
Examples: Combining fish farming with rice cultivation in West Bengal.

Principles: Integration of different agricultural components to utilize synergies and reduce waste.

Components:

Crop-Livestock Integration: Utilizing livestock manure to enhance soil fertility.
Agroforestry: Incorporating trees and shrubs into farming systems for added benefits.
Fish Farming: Integration with rice or vegetable cultivation for efficient nutrient use.

Advantages:

Enhances resource efficiency and reduces waste.
Improves farm income stability and resilience.

Disadvantages:
- Requires careful planning and management.
- Initial setup and integration can be complex.

Resources Recycling in Different IFS: Recycling of nutrients and organic matter through composting, manure application, and crop residues.

IFS for Small & Marginal Farmers: Tailored systems that consider limited resources and scale, often involving low-cost, high-benefit practices to enhance productivity and sustainability.

READ MORE: Crop Diversification - Click Here

READ MORE: Cropping Patterns in Different Agro-Climatic Zones of India - Click Here

Conclusion

Understanding various cropping and farming systems is crucial for UPSC CSE Mains Agriculture aspirants, as it provides insights into the diverse agricultural practices adopted in India. Each system has its unique set of principles, advantages, and challenges, making it essential to comprehend their practical applications and implications for effective agricultural management and policy-making.

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