Crop Diversification and its Benefits

Crop diversification is the new pattern in the sector of agriculture for sustainable production. It means the move from existing crop or cropping system to another crop or cropping system. It is the change in crop choices and input use decisions which are made by observing the market forces for making more benefit. Hayami and Otsuka (1992) said that crop diversification is the shift of resources from low value agriculture to high value agriculture.
Crop diversification is not only a move from occasional and low value crop(s) to high value crop(s) but also a need based situation specific nonstop and vibrant idea. It may be defined as the addition of new crops or cropping systems to cultivate on a specific farm for getting different outcome from the newly added crops with complementary market facilities. The diversification may be from major crop minor crops, cereal to non- cereal crops, etc.
Benefits of Crop Diversification
There are so many benefits for making crop diversification on a farm. This is frequently done by intelligent farmers. The benefits are:

1. More income is received from a small farm holdings due to different types of crops are grown at a time on the farm.
2. The production of crops is running throughout the year. As a result the price fluctuation of the agricultural products is minimum.
3. The self-sufficiency in food grain production can be attained along with increased production of other nutritional crops.
4. The negative impacts of climate change can be managed at a certain level.
5. A balance among the demand of food prevails throughout the year.
6. The fodder for livestock animals can be produced which ensures the good health of domestic animals as well as the economic benefit of farm owner.
7. The natural resources which is becoming damaged day by day can be conserved.
8. The exporting of agricultural products especially vegetables and fruits can be increased.
9. The modern agricultural practices can be adopted easily in dry land, wetland and coastal areas.
10. The land, water and other resources can be used more efficiently which can ensure the sustainable growth of agriculture.
11. The comparatively large farms can be encouraged for commercial farming.
12. The environment can be protected from different types of pollution at a certain level.
13. The dependence on off farm inputs can be reduced due to the production of various crops on the farm.
14. The infestation of insect, pests and diseases can be reduced by making crop rotation.

Crop diversification is now a discussed term in the sector of agriculture throughout the world. Most of the country are trying to diversify their agriculture for making export based crop production and increasing net income and financial security. It is now almost a normal approach of sustainable agriculture for the profitable management of farm in most of the extensive parts of the world.

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