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Crop diversification for sustainable agriculture in temperate regions

Crop diversification for sustainable agriculture in temperate regions

Farahanaz rasool

In agriculture diversification refers to the addition of new crops or enterprises with or without the addition a shift from one crop or enterprise in a production system. Crop diversification wants to sustain the production system of the region by enhancing the soil wellness,reducing biotic and abiotic stresses and increasing employment generation. Crop diversification also refers to bringing about a desirable change in the existing cropping patterns towards a much more balanced cropping system to meet the ever growing demand for food. The modifications suggested need to be technologically feasible and economically viable.Lack of diversification in our crops and cropping system has posed never ending issues of significance, that mainly consist of

Excessive use of water resources (as in case of rice) leading to poor water use efficiency Deterioration in soil health Multiplication of diseases, pests and weeds Unplanned consumption of energy Reduction in the availability of other protective food and high value crops Pollution of the ecosystem

Major agricultural crops in temperate regions incorporate rice, maize, oilseeds(mustard etc.) fodder oats and limited location under pulses, wheat and other minor food crops. Horticultural crops as nicely notably apple and other temperate fruits occupy sizeable location. Vegetables are also cultivated in a substantial region. With the exception of horticultural crops, majority of other crops are grown for subsistence purposes and diversification would be a descramble alter towards much more possible crops and cropping systems of commercial value.

Want for diversification

Te principal goal of crop diversification is to stabilize farm income and promote better farm linkages among primary,secondary and tertiary sectors of economic acyivity.te significant reasons which ighligt te require for adopting diversification are as under:

ü Conservation of natural resources

ü Combat ill-effects of aberrant weather

ü Figt unger and malnutrition

ü More income to marginal farmers

ü Provide employment opportunities

ü Diversify food basket

ü Withstand cost fluctuations

ü Minimize dependence on outside supply

ü Promote export possibilities

Elements affecting diversification

ü Climatic features of the region

ü Crop physiology

ü Suitability of the crop in rotation

ü Effect on employment

ü Local demand of the new crop

ü Proper utilization of the natural resources

ü Crop adaptiblity in the introducing area

ü Marketplace availability for newly introduced crop

ü Economic importance of te crop in relation to the area

ü Utilization of the by-goods

Prospects for diversification

1.Cropping/Farming Systems:

The commonly adopted systems in temperate regions consist of cereal based rice-mustard,rice-oats,maizr-mustard,maize-fallow,rice-peas,wheat-pulses,maize in uplands, rice in lowlands.specialised farming of high value crops like saffron etc. te cropping intensity owever does not go beyond 130% but the adoption of diversified cropping systems like rice-oilseeds,oats/pulses/burseum,maize-mustard/weat-mustard/wheat/peas,wheat-pulses and intensive cultivation of kharief/rabi vegetables

Table 1.Proposed Crops For Diversification In Temperate Zone

S.no

Crop category

Crops

Cereals

Wheat (spring and winter),maize

two.

Pulses

Chickpea,pea,mungbean,frenchbean

Oilseeds

Sunflower

four.