Cropping Patterns In India And Their Evolution Over Decades

Cropping pattern refers to the distribution of land used for different crops at a specific time. It also includes changes in this distribution over time and the factors that influence these changes. It further describes how crops are arranged in a given area over time (temporal arrangement) or space (spatial arrangement).

Shifts In India’s Cropping Patterns

• Changes in Cereal Cultivation: In 1950–51, cereals covered about 80% of the total area under foodgrains. By 2022–23, this share dropped to 78%. This decline is due to the commercialisation of agriculture and better profits from non-cereal crops.
• Growth in Pulse Cultivation: The area under pulses increased from 20% in 1950–51 to 22.01% in 2022–23. This indicates a growing preference for pulse cultivation over time.
• Expansion of Rice Cultivation: Rice occupied 32% of the foodgrain area in 1950–51, which rose to 36.08% in 2022–23. This increase is attributed to government programs and advancements in farming technology.
• Increase in Wheat Cultivation: Wheat cultivation expanded from 10% of the foodgrain area in 1950–51 to 24.05% in 2022–23. Factors contributing to this growth include technological innovations, price support, and improved market facilities.
• Decline in Coarse Cereal Area: The area under coarse cereals like jowar, bajra, and maize fell significantly from 29% in 1950–51 to 17.85% in 2022–23. Reasons for this drop include pest issues, low profitability, limited demand, and competition from more profitable crops like rice and wheat.
• Increase in Oilseed Cultivation: The area under oilseeds grew from 11 million hectares in 1950–51 to 30 million hectares in 2022–23. This rise is mainly due to the Technology Mission on Oilseeds introduced in the 1980s.
  Growth in Commercial Crop Area: The cultivation area for commercial crops like sugarcane, cotton, and jute has expanded significantly over the years.

Cropping Patterns In India

Mono-Cropping (Single Cropping)

Mono-cropping involves cultivating only one crop on a specific piece of land repeatedly every year. This practice is common in dry regions where Rabi crops are typically grown.

Multiple Cropping (Poly-Cropping)

In multiple cropping, two or more crops are cultivated on the same land annually. This method uses high inputs like fertilizers and irrigation without harming soil fertility. An example is growing banana, marigold, and berseem together.

Multiple cropping is divided into four types:

• Mixed Cropping: Growing two or more crops simultaneously without any specific arrangement.
• Intercropping: Cultivating two or more crops together in a defined pattern, such as alternate rows.
• Sequence Cropping: Growing crops one after another on the same field within a year.
• Relay Cropping: Sowing the next crop before harvesting the first one.

Ratoon Cropping

In ratoon cropping, the lower part or root of the harvested crop is left intact, allowing the plant to regrow. This reduces costs related to input and field preparation. However, productivity tends to decline with each cycle. Examples include crops like sugarcane, banana, and pineapple.

Factors Shaping Cropping Patterns

• Natural and Ecological Influences: Rainfall, climate, and soil conditions greatly affect crop choices. Regions like West Bengal, with heavy rainfall and waterlogging, favor rice cultivation. In contrast, semi-arid regions like Rajasthan primarily grow drought-resistant crops such as jowar and bajra.
• Availability of Infrastructure: Facilities such as irrigation, electricity, transportation, and marketing systems play a crucial role. Access to essential inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides also determines the type of crops grown.
• Economic Considerations: Economic aspects like land size, crop prices, and farmers’ income levels influence cropping decisions. Small landholders often prioritize food crops for subsistence, while larger farmers with more resources focus on cash crops for profit.
• Socio-economic Factors: Social habits, education levels, and the age of the farming population shape crop selection. Cultural preferences and traditional practices often guide the choice of crops in different areas.
• Policy and Institutional Support: Government policies, including farm loans, minimum support prices (MSP), subsidies, and free electricity, significantly impact agricultural practices. The government may also set crop-specific targets, such as promoting oilseeds or millets, to drive agricultural growth.
• Technological Advancements: The use of high-yield variety (HYV) seeds, advanced irrigation systems, and modern farming tools—often made affordable through subsidies—enables farmers to adopt efficient methods suitable for specific crops.

Influence Of Subsidies On Cropping Patterns

Essential Support for Farmers

Subsidies in agriculture, forming around 73% of India’s agricultural budget, are a backbone for farmer support and food security. They provide aid for key inputs such as fertilizers, electricity, and water, alongside ensuring guaranteed prices through MSP, thus strengthening the farming sector.

Narrow Crop Choices

Subsidies tied to MSP often result in farmers favoring a few crops like wheat and rice. This has led to the widespread practice of monocropping, which harms soil health, reduces fertility, and increases susceptibility to pests and diseases, ultimately endangering food security.

Growth of Commercial Crops

The cultivation of cash crops like sugarcane and cotton has expanded recently due to better financial returns. However, states like Maharashtra and Telangana, where farmers heavily depend on borewell water for these crops, have experienced significant depletion of groundwater resources, raising concerns about the long-term impact.

Challenges In The Existing Cropping Patterns

• Overdependence on Wheat and Rice: The Green Revolution prioritized wheat and rice production, creating an overreliance on these crops. This lack of diversification has caused nutrient depletion in soils and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases targeting these specific crops.
• Water Shortages: Regions heavily focused on rice cultivation are experiencing severe water scarcity. Growing demand for water from an expanding population and industrial activities makes current cropping practices unsustainable.
• Soil Degradation: Repeated cultivation of the same crops (monoculture) and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers have led to significant soil degradation. Additionally, over-irrigation has caused salinization in some areas, further reducing soil fertility and productivity.
• Uneven Distribution of Benefits: Market-driven farming and the focus on high-value crops often leave small and marginal farmers behind. Limited access to resources prevents them from taking advantage of profitable cash crops, widening the gap between large and small landholders.
• Impact of Climate Change: Changing weather patterns, unpredictable rainfall, and extreme climatic events challenge traditional cropping systems. Adopting climate-resilient crops and sustainable practices is essential for maintaining food security under these conditions.
• Vulnerability to Market Volatility: Reliance on cash crops exposes farmers to unpredictable market prices, increasing financial instability. Diversifying crops and investing in processing or local markets can help farmers mitigate these risks.
• Pollution from Fertilizer Overuse: Excessive fertilizer application, often driven by declining land productivity, has polluted groundwater and rivers, further exacerbating environmental challenges in agriculture.

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