What are the cropping patterns in India?

The cropping patterns in India include mixed cropping (wheat + mustard, cotton + soybean), crop rotation (rice/wheat + maize + sugarcane, rice + red gram), intercropping (cotton + groundnut, paddy + black gram), multiple cropping (wheat + rice, aman paddy + jute), and sole cropping (wheat, sugarcane, tobacco).

What are the factors of cropping pattern?

The factors of cropping pattern include climate, soil type, water availability, market demand, farming practices, and farmer's preferences.

What is cropping system and pattern?

Cropping system refers to the overall plan of crop cultivation, including the sequence and combination of crops, while cropping pattern refers to the specific arrangement and combination of crops grown in a particular area.

What is the objective of cropping pattern?

The objective of cropping pattern is to optimize productivity, resource utilization, soil health, risk mitigation, and diversify income sources.

Cropping Patterns in India, Types of Cropping Patterns and Issues

Q: What are cropping patterns examples?

Cropping pattern examples include mixed cropping, crop rotation, intercropping, multiple cropping, and sole cropping.

Table of Contents

Cropping patterns refer to how much land is used for different crops at a certain time, how this changes over time, and what causes these changes. Cropping patterns are the ways farmers arrange and combine different crops in their fields. These patterns depend on factors like climate, soil conditions, available resources, and farming methods. They help shape how productive the land can be. Technology also plays a big role. For example, in the mid-1960s, using high-yield variety seeds and fertilizers in Punjab, Haryana, and Western Uttar Pradesh greatly increased wheat production.

What is Cropping Pattern?

A cropping pattern refers to how different crops are arranged and combined in a particular area, considering factors like climate, soil conditions, water availability, market demand, and farming practices.

Read More: Types of Soil in India

Factors that Determine Cropping Pattern

Various factors that determine cropping pattern, can be summarized as follows:

Climate: The climatic conditions, including temperature, rainfall, and humidity, influence the choice of crops suitable for a particular region.
Soil Type: Different types of soil have varying nutrient levels, water-holding capacity, and drainage characteristics, which impact crop selection and adaptability.
Water Availability: The availability of water resources, such as irrigation facilities or rainfall patterns, influences the choice of crops and their water requirements.
Market Demand: Farmers consider the demand and market prices for various crops to make decisions on what to cultivate, ensuring the profitability and marketability of their produce.
Farming Practices: Traditional or local farming practices, as well as the availability of machinery, equipment, and labour, play a role in determining the cropping pattern.
Farm Size: The size of the farm and the resources available to the farmer affect the feasibility of implementing specific cropping patterns.
Government Policies: Government policies, subsidies, and support for specific crops may influence farmers’ choices and the overall cropping pattern in a region.
Crop Suitability and Yield Potential: The adaptability of crops to the local conditions and their potential yield in a particular region are important factors considered when selecting cropping patterns.
Pest and Disease Management: The prevalence of pests and diseases in a region can influence the choice of crops and the need for crop rotation or intercropping to manage these challenges.
Farmer’s Knowledge and Experience: The knowledge, skills, and experience of farmers in a particular region also influence the selection of crops and cropping patterns.

Read More: Types of Winds

Types of Cropping Pattern

Cropping patterns around the world show different farming methods suited to various places and climates, helping farmers use their land better. Important practices include mixed cropping (growing different crops together), crop rotation (changing what crops are grown each season), and intercropping (growing crops side by side). These methods help keep the soil healthy and reduce risks for farmers. Below is a simple look at the main cropping patterns, their features, and where they are used.

Cropping Pattern	Characteristics	Major Regions
Mixed Cropping	Simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops on the same land Maximizes resource utilization Reduces the risk of crop failure Increases overall productivity	India: Wheat + Mustard (Punjab and Haryana), Cotton + Soybean (Maharashtra), Maize + Groundnut (Karnataka) China: Maize + Soybean, Wheat + Rapeseed Africa: Maize + Beans, Sorghum + Groundnut
Crop Rotation	Sequential cultivation of different crops on the same land Maintains soil fertility Prevents pest and disease buildup Optimizes nutrient utilization	United States: Corn + Soybean, Wheat + Soybean, Corn + Cotton Europe: Wheat + Barley, Wheat + Oilseed Rape, Barley + Legumes Asia: Rice + Wheat (China, Vietnam), Rice + Mustard (India), Rice + Sugarcane (Thailand) Australia: Wheat + Canola
Intercropping	Simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops in the same field Resource partitioning among crops Maximizes land use Diversifies income sources	Brazil: Maize + Soybean Nigeria: Maize + Cowpea Indonesia: Rice + Soybean Canada: Canola + Lentils
Multiple Cropping	Growing two or more crops on the same land in a single agricultural year Utilizes favourable agro-climatic conditions Maximize productivity	Southeast Asia: Rice + Fish, Rice + Shrimp India: Rice + Wheat (Punjab and Haryana), Aman paddy + Jute (West Bengal) China: Rice + Fish, Rice + Rapeseed Egypt: Wheat + Legumes
Sole Cropping	Cultivating a single crop on a piece of land during a specific cropping season Focuses on maximizing the yield of a specific crop Can be risky due to the vulnerability	United States: Corn, Soybean, Wheat Brazil: Soybean, Sugarcane Russia: Wheat Australia: Barley, Canola

Read More: Coastal Landforms

Cropping Pattern in India

These patterns involve arranging and combining crops to boost productivity, reduce risks, and maintain soil health. Due to its rich agricultural heritage and diverse climates, India uses several cropping patterns like mixed cropping, crop rotation, intercropping, multiple cropping, and sole cropping. Here is a table that describes these patterns, their characteristics, and the main regions where they are practiced.

Cropping Pattern	Characteristics	Main Regions
Mixed Cropping	Simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops on the same land Maximizes resource utilization Reduces the risk of crop failure Increases overall productivity	Punjab and Haryana: Wheat + Mustard Maharashtra: Cotton + Soybean Karnataka: Maize + Groundnut
Crop Rotation	Sequential cultivation of different crops on the same land Maintains soil fertility Prevents pest and disease buildup Optimizes nutrient utilization	Punjab and Haryana: Rice/wheat + Maize + Sugarcane Andhra Pradesh and Telangana: Rice + Red gram (Tur) Tamil Nadu: Rice + Cotton + Black gram (Urad)
Intercropping	Simultaneous cultivation of two or more crops in the same field Resource partitioning among crops Maximizes land use Diversifies income sources	Maharashtra and Gujarat: Cotton + Groundnut Punjab and Haryana: Cotton + Moong (Green gram) Bihar and Jharkhand: Paddy + Black gram (Urad)
Multiple Cropping	Growing two or more crops on the same land in a single agricultural year Utilizes favorable agro-climatic conditions Maximize productivity	Punjab and Haryana: Wheat + Rice West Bengal: Aman paddy + Jute Karnataka: Ragi + Cowpea
Sole Cropping	Cultivating a single crop on a piece of land during a specific cropping season Focuses on maximizing the yield of a specific crop Can be risky due to the vulnerability	Punjab and Haryana: Wheat Uttar Pradesh: Sugarcane Andhra Pradesh: Tobacco

Read More: Extensive Farming

Which main Cropping Patterns are followed in India

Cropping Pattern and Cropping System

Here is a comparison between the cropping pattern and cropping system:

	Cropping Pattern	Cropping System
Definition	Refers to the specific arrangement and combination of crops grown in a particular area.	Refers to the overall plan of crop cultivation, including the sequence and combination of crops.
Focus	Emphasizes the arrangement and combination of crops at a smaller scale, field or farm level.	Takes a broader perspective and considers the overall planning and management of crops at a larger scale, such as a region or farming system.
Scope	Relates to the specific types of crops grown and their arrangement within a particular cropping season or year.	Considers the long-term management and rotation of crops over multiple cropping seasons or years.
Factors	Factors influencing cropping patterns include climate, soil type, water availability, market demand, farming practices, and farmers’ preferences.	Factors influencing the cropping system include crop rotation, intercropping, multiple cropping, fallow periods, use of cover crops, and other management practices.
Timeframe	Focuses on the immediate season or year and the arrangement of crops during that specific period.	Considers the long-term planning and management of crops over multiple years or cropping cycles.
Example	Mixed cropping, crop rotation, intercropping, multiple cropping, and sole cropping are examples of cropping patterns.	Sequential rotation of crops (wheat → maize → legumes), intercropping of maize and legumes, or multiple cropping systems involving rice, fish, and vegetables are examples of cropping systems.

Read More: Intensive Farming

Issues related to Cropping Pattern

Crop Pattern	Region/State	Issues Related to Crop Pattern
Rice-Wheat	UP, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh.	Production and productivity have stagnated due to several factors: nutrient over-extraction depleting soil fertility, A declining groundwater table reducing water availability, increased pest attacks and diseases damaging crops, labor shortages hindering farming, and improper fertilizer use degrading soil health.
Rice-Rice	Irrigated and Humid coastal system of Orrisa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala.	The major issues in maintaining the productivity of the rice-rice system include the deterioration of soil physical conditions, which affects crop growth. There is also a deficiency of micronutrients essential for plant health. The efficiency of nitrogen use is poor, and there is an imbalance in the use of other nutrients. The lack of appropriate transplanters exacerbates labor shortages during the critical transplanting period.
Rice- Groundnut	Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Orrisa and Maharashtra.	The main problems in this pattern are too much rainfall and waterlogging, which can damage crops. There is also a lack of good quality seeds available. There is limited expansion of Rabi groundnut in areas where rice is grown.
Rice-Pulses	Chhattisgarh, Orrisa and Bihar.	The main issues include droughts and erratic rainfall distribution, which disrupt water availability for crops. There is also a lack of irrigation facilities and low coverage of high-yielding variety (HYV) seeds. Weed attacks are common, and there is little attention given to pest attacks and diseases. The marginalization of land and the removal of tribal people from their own land further exacerbate these challenges.
Maize-Wheat	UP, Rajasthan, MP and Bihar	The main issues include improper sowing timing, poor weed management, and the use of substandard plant varieties. There is inadequate use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers. A significant portion of agriculture relies on rain-fed methods, which can be unreliable.
Sugarcane-Wheat	UP, Punjab and Haryana accounts for 68% of the area under sugarcane. The other states which cover the crops are; Karnataka and MP.	The main problems in the sugarcane-wheat system include late planting, imbalanced and inadequate use of nutrients, and poor nitrogen use efficiency in sugarcane. There is a build-up of weeds like Trianthema partulacastrum and Cyprus rotundus in sugarcane fields. The stubble from sugarcane also poses tillage problems for the following crops and needs proper management.
Cotton-Wheat	Punjab, Haryana, West UP, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu.	The main problems in the cotton-wheat system include delayed planting, cotton stubbles causing tillage issues and poor soil conditions for wheat, pests like boll worms and white flies, and poor nitrogen use efficiency in cotton.
Soya bean-Wheat	Maharashtra, MP and Rajasthan	Soybean is a relatively new crop with limited genetic diversity and a short growing period in Indian latitudes. Agronomy and input availability at the farm level are hindered, and the crop’s rainfed nature leads to water scarcity during critical growth stages. Insect pests, diseases, and quality improvement issues are prevalent. Inadequate mechanization and partial adoption of technology by farmers further complicate soybean cultivation.
Legume Based Cropping Systems (Pulses-Oilseeds)	MP, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.	There is a lack of technological advancement. Crops suffer from erratic weather and waterlogging. Diseases and pests are common problems. Many grain legumes have low yields, flower drop, unpredictable growth, and poor response to fertilizers and water. The system’s nutrient needs must be adjusted based on the nitrogen-fixing ability of legume crops.

Cropping Pattern UPSC

The topic of cropping patterns holds significant importance for the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) examination as it falls under the ambit of the UPSC Syllabus, particularly paper 3 of general studies mains. It is essential to grasp the characteristics, benefits, and regional variations of cropping patterns to comprehend agricultural practices, sustainability, and food security. Sound knowledge of cropping patterns equips aspirants to answer questions related to agriculture, rural development, and environmental issues, which are prominent themes in the UPSC examination. Aspirants can avail of UPSC Online Coaching and take UPSC Mock Test to have a firm grip on such important topics.

Read More: Subsistence Farming