Multiple cropping, also known as multicropping, is the practise of growing more than two crops on the same piece of land during the same growing season, rather than just one crop. Intercropping is the practice of growing multiple crops at the same time. This cropping system enables farmers to more than double crop productivity and income. However, the choice of two or more crops for multi cropping is primarily determined by the mutual benefit of the crops. This article will explain to you about Multiple Cropping which will be helpful in preparing the Agriculture Syllabus for the UPSC Civil Service exam.

Multiple Cropping System of Maize, Soybean and Oats

What is Multiple Cropping?

• In a multiple cropping system, farmers cultivate two or more crops on their farmland in a single calendar year (unlike mono-cropping, which involves planting only one crop on a field).
• Growing more than two crops on a plot of land in an orderly succession over the course of a year.
• It's also referred to as intensive cropping. It is used to increase production.
• It is only possible when certain resources are available (land, labour, capital and water).
• Multiple Cropping also includes relay cropping, mixed cropping, and intercropping.
• This method reduces the likelihood that one of the crops will fail and provides protection against crop failure brought on by unpredictable weather conditions.
• But choosing two or more crops for multi-cropping mostly depends on how well they complement one another.
• Multiple Cropping, for instance, is when wheat and gram are grown simultaneously on the same piece of land.
• In the Global South, these multiple cropping techniques are widely practiced. This covers areas like Latin America, Africa, Asia, etc.

Other Relevant Links
Triple cropping	Double cropping
Monoculture	Quadruple cropping
Sole cropping	Mono cropping

Multiple Cropping - Features

• The crops that will be cultivated together should demand varying amounts of water and maturity times.
• It is best to plant one tall crop and one dwarf crop together.
• The amount of nutrients needed by one crop should be lower than the amount needed by another.
• One crop needs deep roots, while another needs shallow ones.
• A successful mixed cropping pattern is the result of all these factors.

Multiple Cropping - Types

Sequential Cropping

• Sequential cropping is the practice of growing two or more crops in succession in the same area in a single year.
• Crop intensification only occurs in the time dimension; there is no intercrop competition.
• The following crop is planted after the previous crop has been harvested. One crop at a time is managed by farmers in the same field.
• The Sequential Cropping pattern is further divided into the following:
• Double Cropping: It is the practice of planting two crops each year in successions, such as rice coming after wheat, potatoes, or mustard; maize after groundnuts; and wheat after cotton. Cropping intensity is 200 percent in this case.
• Triple Cropping: Triple cropping is the practice of growing three different crops one after the other on the same land in a single year.
• Quadruple Cropping: Growing four successive crops every year is known as quadruple cropping.
• Ratoon Cropping: Ratoon cropping is the practice of cultivating crop regrowth after harvest, though not always for grain.

Intercropping

• Intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same field.
• Intercrop competition occurs throughout all or a portion of the crop growing season as a result of crop intensification in both the temporal and geographical dimensions.
• Intercropping is a traditional technique employed by subsistence farmers, particularly in rainfed environments.
• The further types of intercropping are as follows:
• Mixed Intercropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously without a clear row pattern is known as mixed intercropping.
• Row Intercropping: Row intercropping is the practice of planting two or more crops at once, usually in rows.
• Strip Intercropping: Strip intercropping is the practice of cultivating two or more crops concurrently in distinct strips that are wide enough to allow for autonomous cultivation but narrow enough to allow for agronomic interaction between the crops.
• Relay Intercropping: Relay intercropping is the practice of growing two or more crops concurrently during a portion of each one's life cycle; a second crop is planted after the first has reached its reproductive growth stage but before it is ready for harvest.

Multiple Cropping - Advantages

• Aids in Reducing Food Crisis: Multiple cropping can help a nation's food shortages by being practiced on a big scale.
• Cost Reduction: By cultivating two or more crops on one field, the entire cost of inputs, including labor, fertilizer, and irrigation costs, drops.
• Fewer Pests and Weeds: Because of their interdependence, pests, diseases, and weed development are less likely to affect the crop. Better farm management and higher farm income are the benefits of this.
• Enhance Soil Fertility: Using nitrogen fixation, it aids in preserving the soil's fertility.
• Improved year-round food and feed supply stability.
• Increased Income and Productivity: Increased productivity per unit area, time, input, and total output, accompanied by an increase in the farmer's total income;
  • Increased total employment and labor and other capital use distribution throughout the year, as well as opportunities for on-farm seed production, preservation, processing, and marketing.
• Reduced Soil Erosion: Reduced the extent of soil erosion and degradation.
• Maximized land use, residual effects of manures, fertilizers, moisture, and management practices.
• Widened the scope for selecting and substituting crop varieties that match the agroecological situation, cropping pattern, and programs based on home needs and market competitions.

Multiple Cropping - Disadvantages

• If proper soil management practices are not allowed, soil fertility and productivity are reduced or exhausted.
• Because of continuous cropping and irrigation, it sometimes affects the soil structure.
• Controlling pests, diseases, and weeds can be difficult at times.
• Pest survival becomes simple. If they can't make it on one, they can make it on the other and develop alongside it.
• Because it relies on old traditional procedures and processes, it is challenging to apply new technologies to this.
• Due to intensive cropping, unfavorable effects in nutrient mining and soil health have been observed, resulting in soil degradation if proper crop management practices were not followed.

Difference Between Monocropping and Multiple Cropping

Conclusion

Multiple cropping systems are not a new farming method and have been in use for a long time. Multiple cropping is an effective strategy for feeding the world's growing population in a more sustainable manner. Prior to adoption, however, careful consideration of the benefits and drawbacks of multiple cropping at local scales is required. Multi-cropping is most common in small fields where the goal is to feed the family or community that works on the farm while also trading some of the crops outside. This type of system is typically based on locally improved cultivars.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What is the primary benefit of multiple cropping?

A) Reduces labor costs
B) Increases land productivity
C) Requires less water
D) Increases pest infestation

2. Which of the following is a form of multiple cropping?

A) Intercropping
B) Monoculture
C) Agroforestry
D) None of the above

3. What is relay cropping?

A) Growing a second crop after the first crop is harvested
B) Growing two crops simultaneously
C) Rotating crops every season
D) Growing the same crop on different plots of land

4. Which of the following is a major environmental advantage of multiple cropping?

A) Increased chemical pesticide use
B) Enhanced soil fertility
C) Soil depletion
D) Increased land degradation

5. Which of the following is a challenge of implementing multiple cropping?

A) Reduced crop diversity
B) Increased labor and water demands
C) Decreased crop yields
D) Limited crop rotation options

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Explain the concept of multiple cropping and its impact on agricultural productivity in India.

Answer: Multiple cropping is a farming practice where two or more crops are grown on the same field during a single growing season. This technique maximizes land use, increases crop yields, and helps ensure food security by diversifying crops. In India, multiple cropping is especially important in regions with limited arable land and where seasonal variations affect crop yields. It also helps reduce risks of crop failure and enhances income stability for farmers. However, it demands significant labor, water, and resources, which can be challenging for smallholder farmers.

Q2: What are the environmental and economic challenges associated with multiple cropping systems in India?

Answer: While multiple cropping systems improve land productivity and food security, they present several environmental and economic challenges. Environmentally, continuous cropping can lead to soil degradation, water scarcity, and increased dependency on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Economically, multiple cropping demands more labor, higher input costs, and complex crop management, making it less feasible for smallholder farmers without adequate support systems. Over time, the depletion of soil nutrients and reduced biodiversity can undermine the sustainability of the cropping system.

Q3: Discuss the role of government policies in promoting multiple cropping in India. How can policy support improve its adoption among farmers?

Answer: The government plays a crucial role in promoting multiple cropping by providing financial and technical support to farmers. Policies such as subsidies on seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems can reduce the financial burden on farmers. Additionally, providing access to crop insurance and improving market linkages for diverse crops can encourage farmers to adopt multiple cropping. Extension services that educate farmers about the benefits and management of multiple cropping systems are also essential in ensuring that the practice is adopted sustainably and efficiently.

Previous Year Questions on Agriculture and Cropping

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: What is the primary goal of multiple cropping systems in agriculture?

A) To increase the variety of crops
B) To reduce labor costs
C) To increase the use of chemical fertilizers
D) To maximize land productivity

Answer: (D)

Explanation: The primary goal of multiple cropping systems is to maximize land productivity by growing multiple crops in the same land area during the same growing season.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 3):

Question: "Evaluate the environmental sustainability of multiple cropping practices in India. What measures can be taken to address its limitations?"

Answer: Multiple cropping enhances land productivity but can lead to soil degradation, increased water usage, and dependency on chemical fertilizers. To address these issues, organic farming practices, better water management techniques, and crop rotation methods should be promoted. Additionally, policies supporting sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry and integrated pest management, should be encouraged to mitigate the environmental impact of multiple cropping.