Gurunath Upparatti PALB 5185

DEPT OF AGRONOMYGKVK , BENGALURU

A shift of a crop or cropping system to another crop or cropping system.Use of resources in best possible way by changing and modifying the spatial and temporal crop/cropping activities.A shift from less profitable and sustainable crop or cropping system to more profitable and sustainable crop/cropping system.

CONCEPT OF CROP CONCEPT OF CROP DIVERSIFICATIONDIVERSIFICATION

Animal Husbandry

Mixed farming

Horticulture

Floriculture

Sericulture

ForestryLow YieldingLow YieldingFood grain Food grain

cropscrops

DIVERSIFIED AGRICULTUREDIVERSIFIED AGRICULTURE

APPROACHES OF CROP DIVERSIFICATIONAPPROACHES OF CROP DIVERSIFICATION

(A) Horizontal diversification: (a) Crop substitution

(b) Crop intensification

(B) Vertical diversification:

(C) Other approaches: ► Land based approach ► Water based approach ► Varietal diversification

Diversity Index

• Diversification may be broadly defined as a shift of resources from low value agriculture to high value agriculture as indicated by Hayami and Otsuka (1992) or Vyas (1996).

• Few measures of diversification, important ones include Herfindal Index, Simpson Diversity Index, Ogive Index and Entropy Index.

SDI• The Simpson Diversity Index measures the

extent of diversity.

• where Pi = Proportionate area of the ‘i’ th crop in the Gross Cropped Area .

• The index ranges between 0 and 1.zero indicates infinite diversity . In other words for =1 there will be complete specialization.

Diversification areas

From Low value to High value crops;

From Water Loving crop to Water Saving crop (Aerobic rice, SRI)

From Single crop to Multiple / Mixed crop

From Crop alone to crop with Crop-livestock-fish-apiculture

From Agriculture Production to Production with Processing and Value Addition

NICRA

Intercropping

Major Driving Forces for Crop Diversification

1. Increasing income on small farm holdings. 2. Withstanding price fluctuation. 3. Mitigating ill-effects of aberrant weather. 4. Balancing food demand. 5. Improving fodder for livestock animals. 6. Conservation of natural resources (soil, water, etc.).

7. Minimizing environmental pollution. 8. Reducing dependence on off-farm inputs. 9. Decreasing insect pests, diseases and weed problems.

10. Increasing community Food security

NEED OF CROP DIVERSIFICATIONNEED OF CROP DIVERSIFICATIONCrop diversification has become

an important option to attain several objectives Viz.

Natural resources sustainability Ecological balance, Output growth, Employment generation, Risk coverage : Mono cropping high risk, etc

Reducing risks associated with yield, market and prices,

Arresting the degradation of natural resources and environment and

Attaining the national goals like self-reliance in critical crop products, earning foreign exchange and employment generation.

Thus, the necessity for crop diversification Thus, the necessity for crop diversification arises on account of the need for-arises on account of the need for-

Environmental factors rainfall, temperature, and soil fertility. Agro climatic conditions Soil Labor Facility of irrigation

Technological factors House hold factors Institutional and infrastructural factors Price factors

DETERMINANTS OF CROP DIVERSIFICATIONDETERMINANTS OF CROP DIVERSIFICATION

For raising farm income.Sustainable production and income.Food and nutrient security.Promotion of export.Employment generation.Poverty alleviation. Judicious use of land and water resources.Reduction in environmental pollution.

The important facts highlighting the need The important facts highlighting the need of crop diversification in India:of crop diversification in India:

Priorities for crop diversification in Priorities for crop diversification in IndiaIndia1)Changing of resource use efficiency

parameters.2)Crop rotation effect.3) Incorporation of crops and

technologies. 4)Research on actual farm environment

through farmer participatory mode.5)Assurance against the risk to farmers

under changing weather and sharp fluctuation in prices.

6)National issues like nutritional and food security.

Crop diversification under assured irrigation situations.

Crop diversification under water scarce conditions.

Crop diversification for nutrient management.

The important crop diversification approaches in rainfed areas of India

Delineate area : Scientific data base priorities and target the area.

Choice of alternative crops and technology.

Priority Input / credit supply for alternative crops.

Share the risk of new system.

Market support - Rural uplinking.

Crop Diversification

REQUIRED STEPS FOR DIVERSIFICATIONREQUIRED STEPS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

Poudel Acharya et al.,

diversification index during post-WTO (1995-96 to 2007-08) than during pre-WTO (1982-83 to 1994-95) period, except for oilseeds and vegetable crops. There has been a vast increase in diversification of commercial crops after WTO.

Table 2: Issues and functions provided by diversificationTable 2: Issues and functions provided by diversification in dryland regions.in dryland regions.

Hegde et al., (2003)RAU, (Bikaner)

Issues Functions provided by diversificationProductivity and stability

Increased yield, reduce intra seasonal variation and improved stability through diverse components viz., crop, tree, plant and animal.

High risk and high cost

Risk and cost minimization through yield and income from annual and perennial mixtures.

Unabated land

degradation

Minimization of kinds, effect and extent of land degradation by appropriate land care through alternate land use system.

Inadequate employment

Staggered employment round the year.

Low profitability

High components income generation from various area.

Poor energy management

Energy efficient implements.

Key determining factors:Key determining factors: Farmers AngleFarmers Angle

Profit margin of new system Availability of market for produce

Ease of operation / cultivation / storage Risk factor / technology available

Other compelling reasons to shift for a new system

Incentive, if any.

Over all strategies for crop diversificationOver all strategies for crop diversificationDiversion of high water requiring crops to less water intensive crops. Diversion of cotton to pulses, oilseeds and maize in light textured and shallow soils.Replacement of low yielding low value coarse cereals to high yielding high value crops like pulses.Inter cropping or mixed cropping be promoted in dry areas.Shift high risk crops with short duration pulses and drought resistant oilseeds crops.

Table 3. Extent of Diversification in South Asian Countries

Table 4.Annual compound growth rates (%) of area, production and yield of major commodity groups in South Asian countries

Joshi et al.,2003

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Sr. no

State Main crop

Kharif alternate crop

Main crop

Rabi alternate crop

1 Punjab Rice Maize, moong/urad

Wheat Mustard, chick pea, lentil, field peas

2 Uttar Pradesh

Rice Arhar (short duration) moong/urad

Wheat Mustard, chick pea, lentil, field peas

3 Bihar Rice Not suggested as most of the rice area is waterlogged

Wheat Maize, mustard, lentil.

Table 5: Suggested Alternate Crops In Place Of Rice And Wheat In Major Growing States.

Hazra (2003)New Delhi

State Weather constraints

Traditional crops grown

Proposed crops to be taken

Tamil Nadu Droughts, high temperature

Rice, pulses Banana, sugarcane, onion

Gujarat Droughts,High temperature

Upland paddy, coarse cereals,Cereals

Maize, sesame, castor, intercropping sugarcane, soybean, vegetables, horticultural crops.

Maharashtra Droughts, high temperature

Paddy, coarse cereals, cotton

Oilseeds, soybean, horticultural crops, medicinal plants and flowery culture.

Table 6: State wise crop diversification in context to weather

Gov. of India, Dept. of Agril. and Co. Office of Agril. Commissioner, July, 2003.

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Farmers name Villages Yield(kg/ha) Diversified crop –

Groundnut

Traditional - Bajara

Increase in income of farmers (Rs/ha)

Bhatol Manjibhai Ramjibhai

Jalotra (BK)

Main product yield (kg/ha) 1800 2700

16725

By-product yield (kg/ha)

2050 3450

Main product (Rs/kg)

26 11

By product (Rs/kg) 1.5 1.0

Parmar Rameshbhai Nanjibhai

Bhudrada (Patan)

Yield(kg/ha) Cumin

Diversified crop-Cumin

Traditional crop-Wheat

10675

Main product yield 425 2150

By-product yield - 3400Value of main product (Rs/kg)

109 15

Value of by product (Rs/kg)

- 1.0

Table:7 Crop diversification in FPARP site at farmer's field

S.K.Nagar FPARP – Report 2009-10

Treatment Return (Rs/ha) Gross return (Rs/ha)

REY (t/ha)

Productivity (kg/ha/day)

Net return (Rs/ha)

Profitability (Rs/ha/day)

B:C ratio Main

product yield

By product yield

Rice-wheat 58045 8400 66445 11.07 30.34 34719 95.32 1.10

Hybrid rice-vegetable pea-green gram

70260 1300 71560 11.93 32.68 33733 92.42 0.89

Hybrid rice-vegetable pea-wheat-vegetable cowpea

89940 8240 98180 16.36 44.83 55693 152.58 1.31

Maize+ vegetable cowpea + sesbania-lentil + mustard-green gram

102000 4938 106938 17.82 48.83 64495 176.70 1.52

Maize+ cowpea-wheat – green gram

84800 10629 95429 15.90 43.57 55886 153.11 1.41

Pigeon pea + black gram – wheat- green gram

81600 10418 92018 15.34 42.02 53834 147.49 1.41

Sorghum+ cowpea – maize + black gram – onion

165000 1780 166780 27.80 76.16 106935 292.97 1.79

Table:8 Bio-intensive complimentary cropping systems for higher productivity and profitability as alternative to rice-wheat

Modipuram (2008) Gangwar et al.

CONSTRAINTS IN CROP DIVERSIFICATIONCONSTRAINTS IN CROP DIVERSIFICATION

1) Over 117 m.ha (63 percent) of the cropped area in the country is completely dependent on rainfall. 2) Sub-optimal and over-use of resources.3) Inadequate supply of seeds and plants of improved cultivars. 4) Fragmentation of land holding less favoring modernization and mechanization of agriculture. 5) Poor basic infrastructure like rural roads, power, transport, communication etc. 6) Inadequate post-harvest technologies .7) Very weak agro-based industry. 8) Weak research - extension - farmer linkages. 9) Decreased investments in the agricultural sector over the years.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES FOR CROP DIVERSIFICATIONCROP DIVERSIFICATION

Implementing National Agriculture Insurance Scheme. Operationalzing Technology Mission on Cotton. Provision of Capital Subsidy of 25 percent for Construction / Modernization / Expansion of Cold Storages and Storages for Horticultural Produce. Creation of Watershed Development Fund. Strengthening Agricultural Marketing. Seed Crop Insurance. Seed Bank Scheme. Cooperative Sector Reforms.

CONCLUSIONCrop diversification or crop shift is a new

paradigm of sustainable agriculture. Crop diversification is not only a shift from traditional and less remunerative crop (s) to more remunerative crop (s) but it is a demand driven, need based situation specific and national goal seeking continuous and dynamic concept and involves spatial, temporal, value addition and resource complementary approaches. However, crop substitution and addition of more crops in existing cropping system has been the major approach of diversification in India. The nature of crop diversification is has been mainly from low value coarse cereals to high value oilseeds and other food grains.

FUTURE THRUST:

Inclusion of high value crops through horizontal and vertical diversification approach.

Need to synthesize high potential cropping systems and evaluate both on station and on farm in farmers participatory approach.

The crop varieties short in duration with high potential yield and most suited for the synthesized systems needs to be identified.

The location specific approaches and full packages need to be prepared.

For arid and semi arid areas the crops and cropping systems for long term sustainability should be preferred.

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DETERMINANTS OF CROP DIVERSIFICATION

1.

Crop intensification and crop diversification are the budge words in agricultural scenario at the national and international levels. During the period of green revolution when there was a need of enhancing total food grain production, emphasis was given on increasing the cropping intensity and crop productivity but in long term, this approach digressed from the principles of crop production, where the basics of crop rotation and crop sequences played an important role.

Under such situations, approach of diversification has been envisaged as a new strategy towards enhancing and stabilizing productivity, making Indian agriculture export competitive and increasing net farm income and economic security. Agriculture and crop diversification is now almost a normal feature of stable agriculture and progressive farm management in most of the extensive agricultural parts of the world (Joshi et al., 2004).

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