Multicropping

★ Natural farming and Multicropping yield better results for small farmers (Who holds 1 hectare to 2 hectares of land) than resource intensive monocropping

What is Multicropping?

  • Multicropping is the practice of growing multiple crops on the same land simultaneously, ensuring better resource utilization and sustainability.

Traditional vs. Modern Agriculture:

  • Traditional agriculture was sustainable and self-sufficient, incorporating livestock and poultry into farming.
  • Monocropping (introduced during British rule) led to market dependency and food insecurity (e.g., Indigo cultivation and the 1859 Nil Satyagraha).

Multi Cropping Benefits for Small Farmers:

  • Ensures year-round income and food security.
  • Helps retain soil moisture and reduce input costs.
  • Supports biodiversity and agroecology principles.National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF):
  • Promotes traditional multicropping models like: Akkadi Saalu (Karnataka), Navadhanya (Andhra Pradesh), Payir (Tamil Nadu), Bara-Anaj (Northern Hills).

Natural Farming (NF):

A chemical-free, minimal-input farming method, emphasizing organic matter, local biodiversity, and reduced human intervention.

Agroecology:

  • An integrated farming approach balancing ecology and economy, based on FAO’s 13 principles (e.g., soil health, biodiversity, fairness).

Success Stories:

  • Farmers in Parvathipuram and Srikakulam districts (Andhra Pradesh) practice natural farming with multi cropping, securing:
    • ₹30,000 per acre annually
    • Sustainable livelihoods through crops, livestock, poultry, and fisheries
    • MGNREGA wages supplementing farm income.

Proposed NMNF Reforms:

  1. Landscape Approach for Farming
    • Encourages farming based on regional agroecology rather than a uniform national model.
    • Promotes biodiversity, soil conservation, and water-efficient practices.
  2. Community Participation:
    • Strengthens Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and cooperatives.
  3. Localized Crop Combinations:
    • Supports region-specific crops that suit soil, climate, and water availability.
  4. Local Market Integration Before National Expansion:
    • Develops village and district-level markets before expanding to a national level.
    • Strengthens local food security and promotes farm-to-table models.
  5. Gradual Transition to Natural Farming:
    • Prevents sudden economic distress among farmers.