In agriculture, the system of cropping refers to the pattern or arrangement in which crops are cultivated on a piece of land over a period of time. Choosing the right cropping system is essential for maximizing land use, improving soil fertility, and increasing overall productivity. Different cropping patterns are adopted depending on climate, soil type, available resources, and farming objectives. By understanding the various types of cropping systems, along with their advantages and disadvantages, farmers can make informed decisions to enhance food production and maintain sustainable agricultural practices.
Table of Contents
At the end of the article, students should be able to:
- Define cropping system in agriculture
- List the types of cropping
- Outline the advantages of cropping system
- Outline the disadvantages of cropping system.
Meaning Of Cropping Systems
Cropping System can be referred to as the different pattern of growing crops in the farm. A farmer may also be growing only one type of crop or many types of Crops on the same piece of land, same time in each growing season.
Types of Cropping System
Mono Cropping or Sole Cropping: This is a types of cropping system where one type of crop is grown on a farm or the same piece of land at the same time. Mono cropping is usually practiced on large scale farms, where crops such as oil Palm, cocoa, kolanut, rubber, rice, millet, maize, etc are grown.
In mono Cropping, crops tends to remain in a particular land or farm for many years where permanent or tree crops are grown, while in case annual crops, the Farmer grows a particular crop, e.g. maize which is harvested at maturity before planting another one on the same piece of land. This system of cropping can only be successful where there is plenty of farmland.
ADVANTAGE OF MONO CROPPING
- Mono cropping encourages specialisation.
- It encourages mechanization of Farm operation.
- Through mono cropping management of Farm crop is made easy.
- The former can easily improve on the various Farm operations to increase yield.
DISADVANTAGES OF MONO CROPPING
- The system is very risky. The Farmer may lose all his crops if there is an outbreak of epidemic of Pests, diseases, floods or drought.
- There may be buildup of pest and diseases on the fan.
- The system might lead to a glut in the market of such crossing low price. The glut may be caused by good or surplus harvest.
- Farmers may be discouraged from producing More, if there is low pricing in the world marketing of cash crops such as cocoa and rubber.
MIXED CROPPING: This types of cropping system involves the growing of two or more crops on the same piece of land at the same time during the same growing season. This system very common among small scale farmers in Nigeria and west Africa. Crop commonly grown under the system include yam, cassava, maize, cocoa yam, pepper, okra and melon. The crops are mixed together on the same piece of land. Mixed cropping is commonly practiced where farmland is short fall. Mixed cropping can be categorised into two forms mainly: intercropping and interplanting.
INTER PLANTING: This is a types of cropping systems where a crop is grown in between another crop and the crop planted first is harvested last why the crop planted last is harvested first. For example young can be in town crops with melon. The yam is planted first before melon is planted but melon is harvested first before the yam. The principle of intercropping is that an early maturing crop is planted among late-maturing crop which is normally planted first but the short-season crop is harvested first.
INTER PLANTING OR CATCH CROPPING: This system involves the planting of two crops at different times and the crop planted first is harvested first before the second crop. For Example, maize is said to be interplanted with yam or cassava. The Maize is planted first before the yam or cassava is planted and the Maize is harvested first why the yam or cassava is harvested later.
ADVANTAGES OF MIXED CROPPING
- Mixed cropping provides insurance against crop failure, in the sense that when one crop fails, the Farmer falls back on the other crops.
- The fertility of the soil is used to its maximum by the growing crops.
- Protection against soil erosion by the extensive root system and leaves is guaranteed by the cross.
- Spread of pests and diseases is minimal.
- The fertility of the soil can be improved with the inclusion of legumes in the system.
DISADVANTAGES OF MIXED CROPPING
- It discourages Farm mechanization.
- It is difficult to use chemicals, e.g herbicides, to control weeds under this system, because such herbicide may be harmful to some of the crops.
- There are competitions between crops for nutrients, air, water, space and light, which may seriously reduce the yield of the less competitive crops.
ALLEY CROPPING: This is a system which involves the growing of food crops in spaces between hedges rows of trees or shrubs which must undergo regular pruning every five or six weeks. The species of plant that can be used for alley cropping include; nitrogen-fixing Gliricidia and leucaena. The spacing of this plant is put out 4 m between rolls to allow enough space for the growing of food crops. The soil nutrients are recycled through the decomposition of the Organic residue.
ADVANTAGES OF ALLEY CROPPING
- The pruned leaves help in the feeding of ruminants in the dry season pass fodder.
- The branches or stems are cut and use as yam stake and firewood.
- the shades provides by plant helps to suppress weed growth.
- The shrubs serves as barrier when planted across the slope in the control of erosion.
- The pruned leaves also serve as mulching materials.
- Alley cropping serves as an alternative to Bush fallowing.
- The nitrogen-fixing plants fix nitrogen for the food crops.
DISADVANTAGES OF ALLEY CROPPING
- The plants use can easily smother the growing of crops.
- Nitrogen supply maybe in short fall to the crops, if non nitrogen-fixing plants are used.
- The system may be difficult to practice on a large scale.
CONTINUOUS CROPPING: This is a types of cropping system which involves the growing of the same type of crops on the same piece of land every year. The system is normally practice where there is scarcity of land and dense population, or where environmental conditions limits the type of crop that can be cultivated in that area. Crops such as millet can only be grown in some parts of northern Nigeria. In this system, A lot has to be done by the Farmer to improve the fertility of the soil, by the addition of organic and inorganic manure.
ADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS CROPPING
- A lot of time, energy and money is saved since the Farmer does not have to clear new farmland every year.
- it helps to economize the use of farmland.
DISADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS CROPPING
- Continuous cropping encourages soil erosion.
- It also leads to rapid loss of soil fertility.
- encourages low yield.
- A lot of money is expended in buying fertilizers to improve the fertility of the soil.
- Encourages the buildup of pests disease and weeds in the farm.
- Encourages the deterioration of the physical and chemical condition of the soil.
MULTIPLE CROPPING: This is a system of cropping which is almost similar to that of mixed cropping. It is the growing of different crops on the same piece of land more than once a year and harvesting them at different times.
The principle of the method is that the first crop is harvested before planting the other during the same season. One type of crop or more crops may be involved in this system.
The Farmer may be practicing double or triple cropping. In double-cropping, a crops such as maize is grown two times during the same season on the same piece of land.
The same crop is grown in late March or early April and harvested in July or August before another one is planted in August and harvested in November or December.
The first crop is known as early maize, while the second one is known as the late maze. This system can be referred to as relay cropping. This system is commonly practiced in the Southern part of Nigeria where temperature and rainfall conditions are favorable. It can also be adopted where irrigation is practiced.
ADVANTAGES OF MULTIPLE CROPPING
- It ensures maximum use of the Land.
- It guards against crop failure.
DISADVANTAGES OF MULTIPLE CROPPING
- It requires adequate and regular supply of water.
- The soil may be overused.
Conclusion
Understanding the different cropping systems is vital for sustainable and productive farming. Each system—whether it’s mixed cropping, intercropping, crop rotation, or monocropping—offers unique benefits and challenges depending on the goals of the farmer and environmental conditions. By choosing the right system of cropping, farmers can improve soil health, reduce risks, and increase overall yield, contributing to long-term agricultural success.
Revision Questions and Answers on Cropping System
1. What is a cropping system?
A cropping system refers to the way crops are cultivated on a piece of land over time, including the sequence, combination, and pattern of planting.
2. List any two types of cropping systems.
- Mixed cropping
- Crop rotation
3. Mention two advantages of intercropping.
- It reduces the risk of total crop failure.
- It maximizes the use of soil nutrients.
4. What is the main disadvantage of monocropping?
Monocropping can lead to soil nutrient depletion and increased pest attacks.
5. Why is crop rotation considered a sustainable farming practice?
Crop rotation helps maintain soil fertility, reduces pest buildup, and improves overall soil structure.