Multiple cropping

In agriculture, multiple cropping or multicropping is the practice of growing two or more crops in the same piece of land during one growing season instead of just one crop. When multiple crops are grown simultaneously, this is also known as intercropping. This cropping system helps farmers to double their crop productivity and income.[1] But, the selection of two or more crops for practicing multicropping mainly depends on the mutual benefit of the selected crops.

Threshing can be difficult in multiple cropping systems where crops are harvested together.[2] It can take the form of double-cropping, in which a second crop is planted after the first has been harvested. In the Garhwal Himalaya of India, a practice called baranaja involves sowing 12 or more crops on the same plot, including various types of beans, grains, and millets, and harvesting them at different times. Due to this, multiple cropping became more prevalent in Asian countries.

Benefits of multiple cropping

Adopting the practice of multiple cropping on a large scale can help in reducing the food crises of a country. The overall cost of input decreases, cost spent on fertilizers, irrigation, labour, etc. reduces because of growing two or more than two crops on the same field. Risk of weed growth, pest and disease infestation reduces because of mutual relationship within the crop. This results in better farm management and increased income of the farmer. Although only 5% of global rainfed cropland is under multiple cropping, whereas 40% of global irrigated cropland is under multiple cropping.[3]

See also

References
  1. Abhishek, Aditya (2020-09-19). "MULTIPLE CROPPING- Definition, Benefits and Selection of Crops". Agriculture Review. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
  2. Bunnett, R.B. (2002). Interactive TMKC bsdk4, p. 98. SNP Pan Pacific Publishing. ISBN 981-208-657-9.
  3. "Multiple cropping could help feed the world". CGIAR. Retrieved 2020-12-14.
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