Micro and Macro-level Analysis of Crop Diversification: Evidence from an Agrarian State West Bengal

2020 ◽  
pp. 489-499
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Structure Questionnaire ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
The Status ◽  
Block Level ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems

The farming system in West Bengal is being shifted by integration between the set of cash crops and the main food harvest process. This change in diversified farming systems, where smallholders have a production base in rice can complement production; affect technical efficiency and farm performance. The goal of this study was to investigate the status of crop diversification on smallholders in West Bengal. First, crop diversification regions were developed in West Bengal based on the Herfindahl index, which were categorized into three regions. Three sample districts were studied separately at the block level, and 915 small farmers from 41 sample villages of 9 sample blocks were interviewed through a good structure questionnaire for field studies from the sample districts. West Bengal was gradually moving towards multiple crop production. Furthermore, increasing rice production reduced the marginal use of inputs for the production of other crops. Farming and other vital factors such as HYVs area to GCA, average holding size and per capita income in some districts of West Bengal can be identified as determinants of crop diversification.

scholarly journals Agricultural Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of Major Farming Systems: A Case Study in Yayo Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve, Southwestern Ethiopia

Agriculture ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mezgebu Duguma ◽  
Debela Feyssa ◽  
Lisa Biber-Freudenberger
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Biosphere Reserve ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Southwestern Ethiopia ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems ◽  
Evenness Indices

Farming systems, with their concerns of biodiversity, ecosystem services, and productivity and production issues towards progress in human needs, wellbeing, and sustainable development, are challenging in most biosphere reserves. In this study, we assess the levels and trends of the agro-biodiversity and ecosystem services of different farming systems in the Yayo Biosphere Reserve in Ethiopia. Interviews with a total of 120 farmers, 16 key informants, and 12 focal group discussions (FDGs) were conducted, and species composition was assessed based on data collected on ten plots per major farming system. Result indicate that four farming systems, namely homegardens (HG), plantation coffee (PC), semi-forest coffee (SFC), and annual crop production (CP) systems, can be identified. Shannon and Evenness indices were highest in the HG system (H′ = 3.14, E = 0.8), and lowest in the CP system (H′ = 0.71, E = 0.18). Additionally, more diversified and relatively less cultivated farming systems provide more ecosystem services, and land users tend to practice less diversified farming systems in order to increase food supply at the expense of other ecosystem services. Therefore, this study recommends that diversified farming systems need to be considered to conserve or enhance specific ecosystem services in ways that reduce their negative tradeoffs.

scholarly journals Crop Diversification for Improved Weed Management: A Review

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 461
Author(s):  
Gourav Sharma ◽  
Swati Shrestha ◽  
Sudip Kunwar ◽  
Te-Ming Tseng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Technology Innovations ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems

Weeds are among the major constraints to any crop production system, reducing productivity and profitability. Herbicides are among the most effective methods to control weeds, and reliance on herbicides for weed control has increased significantly with the advent of herbicide-resistant crops. Unfortunately, over-reliance on herbicides leads to environmental-health issues and herbicide-resistant weeds, causing human health and ecological concerns. Crop diversification can help manage weeds sustainably in major crop production systems. It acts as an organizing principle under which technological innovations and ecological insights can be combined to manage weeds sustainably. Diversified cropping can be defined as the conscious inclusion of functional biodiversity at temporal and/or spatial levels to improve the productivity and stability of ecosystem services. Crop diversification helps to reduce weed density by negatively impacting weed seed germination and weed growth. Additionally, diversified farming systems are more resilient to climate change than monoculture systems and provide better crop yield. However, there are a few challenges to adopting a diversified cropping system, ranging from technology innovations, government policies, farm-level decisions, climate change, and market conditions. In this review, we discuss how crop diversification supports sustainable weed management, the challenges associated with it, and the future of weed management with respect to the diversification concept.

scholarly journals Crop Diversification for Improved Weed Management: A Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gourav Sharma ◽  
Swati Shrestha ◽  
Kunwar Sudip ◽  
Te Ming Tseng
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Herbicide Resistant ◽  
Technology Innovations ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems

Weeds are among the major constraints to any crop production system, reducing productivity and profitability. Herbicides are among the most effective methods to control weeds, and reliance on herbicides for weed control has increased significantly with the advent of herbicide-resistant crops. Unfortunately, over-reliance on herbicides leads to environmental-health issues and herbicide-resistant weeds, causing human-health and ecological concerns. Crop diversification can help manage weeds sustainably in major crop production systems. It acts as an organizing principle under which technological innovations and ecological insights can be combined to manage weeds sustainably. Diversified cropping can be defined as the conscious inclusion of functional biodiversity at temporal and/or spatial levels to improve the productivity and stability of ecosystem services. Crop diversification helps to reduce weed density by negatively impacting weed seed germination and weed growth. Additionally, diversified farming systems are more resilient to climate change than monoculture systems and provide better crop yield. However, there are a few challenges to adopting a diversified cropping system, which ranges from technology innovations, government policies, farm-level decisions, climate change, and market conditions. In this review, we discuss how crop diversification supports sustainable weed management, the challenges associated with it, and the future of weed management with respect to the diversification concept.

scholarly journals Studies on Integrated Nutrient Management of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata l.): A Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 148-154
Author(s):  
Bimesh Dahal
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Integrated Nutrient Management ◽  
Yield Attributes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Physical Attributes ◽  
Physical And Chemical

There are many management methods for nutrient which can be specifically applied in farming systems. Integrated nutrient management (INM) generally denotes the combined use of organic and chemical fertilizers for producing crops in a sustainable manner and to maintain soil fertility as well as to supply nutrient in appropriate amount which consider social, ecological and economic impacts. This paper shows the importance and need of INM in agriculture production. Also, the relation of INM and yield attributes are analyzed and evaluated including growth and physical attributes of cowpea. The status of nutrient uptake by plant is also described along with other physical and chemical properties of soil. Finally, this paper also describes about the biofertilizer and its relation, impact and effect on crop production which can be used as a improved technology with the combination of other nutrient management practices.

Developing the role of perennial forages for crop–livestock farms: a strategic multi-disciplinary approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (10) ◽  
pp. 945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick S. Llewellyn ◽  
Michael J. Robertson ◽  
Richard C. Hayes ◽  
David Ferris ◽  
Katrien Descheemaeker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Perennial Species ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Farmer Participatory Research ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Livestock Farms

Developing new and improved grazing systems for crop–livestock farms where crop production is the major driver of farm management decisions presents a unique research and development challenge. In southern Australia, a substantial proportion of animal production from grazing comes from regions and farms where cropping is the major enterprise. In this paper, we describe a multi-disciplinary farming-systems research approach (EverCrop) aimed at improving farm profitability, risk management and environmental impacts through the development and integration of new grazing options with an emphasis on perennial species. It has been used to analyse and target new opportunities for farmers to benefit from perennial species across dry Mediterranean-type and temperate regions of southern Australia. It integrates field experimentation, on-farm trialling, farmer participatory research, soil–plant–climate biophysical modelling, whole-farm bioeconomic analysis and evaluations of adoptability. Multi-functional roles for summer-active grasses with winter cropping, integration of forage shrubs and establishment of new mixes of perennial grasses in crop rotations to improve farming system performance are identified, along with an analysis of factors likely to affect rate of uptake by farmers.

scholarly journals Pertanian Organik sebagai Salah Satu Konsep Pertanian Berkelanjutan

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132
Author(s):  
Yuriansyah Yuriansyah ◽  
Dulbari Dulbari ◽  
Hery Sutrisno ◽  
Arief Maksum
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Alternative Farming ◽  
Organic Farming System

Excessive use of inorganic chemicals results in adverse impacts on land and plants. In the midst of the community, there is anxiety about the high content of pesticide residues in agricultural products. There is a need to develop alternative farming systems that are able to produce quantities and quality of healthy products in a sustainable manner. One agricultural system that supports the concept is the organic farming system. The basic principles of organic farming are: (1) Keeping the ecosystem healthy, (2) Applying the principle of efficiency to the cultivation system, (3) Conducting production activities with the concept of sustainable agriculture, (4) Producing pesticide-free products, and (6) Maintaining environmental sustainability. Food Crop Production Study Program Lampung State Polytechnic makes Organic Agriculture as one of the leading competencies for its graduates. The establishment of the Organic Agriculture Business Unit on campus will increase student competencies, foster entrepreneurship, be a place for competency internships, and as an independent source of income.

scholarly journals Sustainable Agricultural Systems: A Bibliometrics Analysis of Ecological Modernization Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9635
Author(s):  
Lucia Rocchi ◽  
Antonio Boggia ◽  
Luisa Paolotti
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Ecological Modernization ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Current State ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Diversified Farming Systems ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Systems

Agricultural systems need to be more sustainable. Nowadays, the global food production has a remarkable impact in terms of greenhouse gases production, terrestrial acidification, eutrophication and land consumption. Moreover, one of the effects of unsustainable agriculture is depletion of ecosystem services (ES) on which agricultural systems themselves are dependent. Alternative agricultural systems are possible: the aim of this review was to analyze one of these alternative systems, i.e., strong ecological modernization, to understand relevant topics and current state of the art connected with it. As a result that strong ecological modernization can be considered an ecosystem services-based farming system, we focused on the development of topics related to ecosystem services but also to diversification. The review has been conducted applying a bibliometrics approach to recognize the main papers, authors, organization and countries, as well as trend topics and main themes investigated. The results showed that basic research content involves agrobiodiversity, agroecology and diversified farming systems. At the same time, the review revealed a lack about the social and economic dimensions of sustainability that need to be addressed for promoting a true transition to a strong ecological modernization.

scholarly journals Shades of Greening: Reviewing the Impact of the new EU Agricultural Policy on Ecosystem Services

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Hauck ◽  
Christian Schleyer ◽  
Klara J. Winkler ◽  
Joachim Maes
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Ecological Focus Areas ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

AbstractIn December 2013, the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council formally adopted the new regulations for the reformed Common Agricultural Policy (2014-2020). The new regulations include three obligatory greening measures: ecological focus areas, maintaining permanent grassland, and crop diversification. We assess the impact of these measures on ecosystem services using scientific and gray literature. The literature review reveals that the adopted greening measures will have mixed effects, i.e., trade-offs and synergies across ecosystems services. Provisioning services, in particular crop production, are expected to decrease when the measures are implemented. All other service categories, i.e., regulating and cultural services, will increase – or are at least will not obviously be negatively affected – once the measures are implemented. However, in terms of tradeoffs and synergies, much depends on objectives being pursued, the baseline or alternative land use underlying the comparison, and on the prevalent farming systems and farm characteristics. Including the ecosystem services concept into the design and assessment of policies would allow a systematic review of the consequences of measures also for services otherwise easily ignored.

scholarly journals TIPOLOGI RUMAH TANGGA TANI SEBAGAI TITIK MASUK PERTANIAN KONSERVASI: STUDI KASUS DI SEMI-RINGKAI TANZANIA

1970 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-108
Author(s):  
Dina Banjarnahor
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Soil Cover ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Minimum Tillage ◽  
Similar Issue ◽  
Local Farmers ◽  
Farm Types

Crop production in the semi-arid is limited by water shortage and less fertile soil. Conservation agriculture which is based on the principle of minimum tillage, permanent soil cover, and crop diversification has been introduced to Tanzanian local farmers for combating soil degradation and elevating food production. This study sought to explore the feasible entry point for integrating conservation agriculture into the local farms. This goal was achieved by recognizing the local farming system, identifying farm typology, and analyzing the circumstance and needs of different farm types. This study showed that conservation agriculture actually had potentials to reach different farm types. Nonetheless, the practical activities must satisfy the characteristics of each farm. While some farmers perceived hand-hoeing as the most feasible act others were fond of the use of animal-based minimum tillage equipment. Farmers rearing livestock found it difficult to leave crops residue to cover the soil while others were barely constrained. All farmers encountered one similar issue in practicing conservation agriculture: low biomass production to meet the demand of soil cover. Dealing and working with these circumstance and needs of different farm types are then essential in designing the locally appropriate conservation agriculture practices.

scholarly journals Flood-based Farming as Affected by Hydrological Deficit in the Semiarid Lowlands of Northern Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emnet Negash ◽  
Jan Nyssen ◽  
Girmay Gebresamuel ◽  
Tesfa-alem Embaye ◽  
Alick Nguvulu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Flood Management ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Irrigated Agriculture ◽  
Northern Ethiopia

<p>Agriculture remains the dominant source of food production and the livelihood foundation for majority of the rural poor in the sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. Access to agricultural-water is, however, a limitation hindering crop productivity and end food insecurity in the drylands. In rain-deficit lowlands such as in the Raya-valley, flood-based farming is a means of improving crop production. Such spate irrigation systems grow in importance; though the effects of headwater hydrological deficit on flood-farming systems are lacking evidence. The present work investigates the impacts of headwater hydrological deficit on spate-irrigated agriculture in Tsge’a spate systems. Canal length and area of spate-irrigated agriculture along Guguf river for the 1980s and 2010s were tracked using Global Positioning System; while runoff trend analysed using linear regression. Annual volume of flash-flood shrunk by 7.36x10<sup>6</sup> m<sup>3</sup>. This is mainly due to changing climate and increasing water retention by the soil and humans at the escarpment. As a result, length of canals and area of spate-based farms downstream declined by 1.37 km (35%) and 1540 ha (57.5%), respectively, only in three decades time. This corresponds to an average withdrawal of -44 ha yr<sup>-1</sup>. A 1x10<sup>6</sup> m<sup>3</sup> decline in flash-flood caused a 366.4 ha decline in spate-based farms. Moreover, farm fields located next to the river course are less affected, as compared to farms on the tail of the scheme. If the current trend continues, there is likely a high risk that the remaining farms currently receiving flood may run out of spate systems. Therefore, flood management technologies are needed to optimize the efficiency of soil moisture in the spate system.</p><p>The abstract is based on Negash, E., Gebresamuel, G., Embaye, T., Nguvulu, A., Meaza, H., Gebrehiwot, M., Demisse, B., Gebreyohannes, T., Nyssen, J., & Zenebe, A. (2020). Impact of headwater hydrological deficit on the downstream flood-based farming system in northern Ethiopia. <em>Irrigation and Drainage</em>, In Press.</p>

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