Cropping Patterns UPSC| Agriculture geography mains| Geography of India

Table of Contents:

• UPSC Previous Year Questions
• Mixed Cropping
• Intercropping
• Relay Cropping
• Crop rotation

UPSC Previous Year Questions:

• Discuss the cropping patterns in different agricultural regions of India.

Cropping Pattern in India:

• Cropping patterns in India largely governed by rainfall, climate, temperature, sowing season, and soil types. There is a greater risk of growing particular crop in larger areas, hence farmer chooses different cropping pattern based on the suitability and maximization of profit.
• A different way of growing crops gives the maximum benefits. 

There are  mainly four cropping patterns:

• Mixed Cropping
• Intercropping
• Relay Cropping
• Crop rotation

Mixed cropping:

Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same land with no definite pattern.

For example; Wheat + gram

Wheat + mustard

It gives some insurance against the failure of one crop.

Intercropping:

Growing two or more crops simultaneously on the same land with a definite pattern. Few rows of one crop, alternative with few rows with other crops. Intercropping ensures the maximum utilization of nutrients and also prevent pest and disease from spreading to all plants belonging to one family.

Relay Cropping:

Relay cropping is like double cropping. Second crops are planted before the first harvest of the first crop.

Both the crops share the same growing season.

Crop rotation:

Growing different crops on pieces of land in pre-planned succession in different seasons is known as crop rotation.

Crop combination is done based on the duration of the crop.

For example,

Groundnut in Kharif + wheat in Rabi + Vegetation in Zaid 

For a detailed explanation, watch the below video:

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