Multiple cropping:
It is defined as “growing of two or more than two crops in the same field in the same time in a year”.
Multiple cropping systems is not a new technique, it is practicing in:
- Egypt 300B.C.
- Maya Indians in central America
- Incas in south America
Advantages:
Multiple cropping systems are not only beneficial for soil, but it is also beneficial for farmer as well as for the country.
- It is a better source of soil utilization
- It improves yield
- Increase yield per unit of land
- Increase the crop production
- Export increase
- Foreign exchange increase
- Costs of input decrease as compared to individual crop growing cost
- Reduce pest and disease attack
- Different type of products can be produce at a time
- It helps to produce a balance diet for a family
- It helps to maintain the soil fertility
- It helps to control weeds
Disadvantages:
Multiple cropping systems also have some disadvantages like:
- The survival of pests become easy
- Pests can easily shift from one crop to another crop
- Problem of weed management
- Implementation of new technology is difficult etc.
Types of multiple cropping:
There are many types of multiple cropping system:
- Intercropping
- Mixed cropping
- Relay cropping
- Sequential cropping
- Ratoon cropping etc.
Intercropping:
“Growing of two or more crops in the same field in a year, when one (major) crop is planted on rows first and other (minor) crop is planted between the rows”.
For example:
- Sugarcane + oil seed crop (These crops also known as “companion crops”.)
Mixed cropping:
“Growing of those (two or more) crops simultaneously on the same field on the same time, which have same sowing and harvesting time.”
Relay cropping:
“Growing of two or more crops on the same field where they enjoy association of each other for a period of time”.
Conclusion:
Multiple cropping systems can help to get maximum production and ultimately maximum foreign exchange which is necessary for a developing countries. But for multiple cropping can be done in that are where:
- Irrigation water is abundantly available
- Labour is available
- All input resources are easily available etc.
Written by: Khadija Tehseen Arshad
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.
