Parsanjeet KourAIR 11 · CSE 2022 · 221 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Cropping pattern refers to the system of cultivation of crops in an area. India with its unique geography shows greatest diversity in cropping pattern.
While states like Punjab have expertise in wheat, Kerala leads in Coconut and Rubber, Assam leads in Tea. All these show variable cropping patterns of country. There are many factors that affect it.
Body · points and prose
→ Economic situation of farmers - affordability to raw materials
→ Expertise of farmers in cultivation of some agricultural products.
→ Climatic and geographical factors (like water availability in West Bengal)
→ Social demand (India has more demand of cereals than fruits and vegetables)
Present day cropping patterns suffer from agro-ecological concerns like frequent droughts and floods, insect swarms, depletion of ground water level, increased incidents of pests attack etc. In this light, there is need to modify cropping pattern. This would ensure:
→ Climate smart agriculture is promoted
→ Yield remains immune to climate fluctuations
→ Help to reduce crop footprints (Rice and Methane as an example)
→ Also help to meet the demand of relaxing pressure on stressed resources (e.g. shift to maize than water thirsty rice in Punjab).
Close · a framework
Initiatives like zero based natural farming, PM Krishi unnayi yojana etc are in line with it.
Sustainable cropping pattern would be key to realize UNSDG 02 and efforts are demanding in this regard.
How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.