Crop Diversity and Cropping Systems in Natural Farming

India has developed more than 250 different cropping systems over centuries of farming experience. Each system is adapted to local conditions—soil, water, climate, and community needs. Natural farming builds on this diversity, recognizing that variety is not just beneficial but essential.

Why Mono-Cropping is Problematic

Growing a single crop year after year (mono-cropping) creates serious problems:

• Soil nutrients become depleted
• Pest and disease pressure builds up
• Soil structure degrades
• Risk of total crop failure increases
• Biodiversity collapses

Example: Rice-Rice-Rice systems exhaust soil and create perfect conditions for pest epidemics.

Types of Cropping Systems

1. Multiple Cropping

Growing two or more crops on the same land in one calendar year using scientific methods.

Advantages:

• Increased yields through efficient resource use
• Risk diversification
• Improved soil health
• Household food security
• Steady income generation

2. Sequential Cropping

Growing crops one after another on the same field:

• Double cropping: Rice-wheat, Maize-wheat
• Triple cropping: Rice-rice-pulses
• Quadruple cropping: Tomato-ridge gourd-amaranthus-baby corn

Benefits: Optimal use of growing season, no competition between crops.

3. Relay Cropping

The second crop is planted before the first is harvested, so they share part of the growing season.

Examples: Rice with black gram, onions, or okra.

Benefits:

• Risk reduction—if one crop fails, another may succeed
• Better insect control through diversity
• Improved labor efficiency
• Soil nitrogen enhancement from legumes

4. Intercropping

Two or more crops grown simultaneously in specific row patterns (1:1, 1:2, 6:1, etc.).

Common examples:

• Maize + green gram (1:1)
• Maize + black gram (1:1)
• Groundnut + red gram (6:1)

Principles of successful intercropping:

• Crops should complement, not compete
• Subsidiary crop should be shorter duration
• Different root depths avoid competition
• Mix erosion-permitting (tall) with erosion-resistant (cover) crops

5. Mixed Cropping

Growing multiple crops together without distinct row patterns—seeds are mixed and broadcasted.

Acts as traditional insurance: if conditions favor one crop, it succeeds; if conditions change, another may thrive.

The Importance of Crop Rotation

Rotating crops through the same field over 3-4 years provides:

• Lower pest and weed pressure
• Improved soil structure from different root types
• Nitrogen contribution from legumes
• Better nutrient balance

General recommendations:

• Follow nitrogen-demanding crops with legumes
• Avoid planting same family crops in succession
• Include green manure crops in rotation
• Alternate between shallow and deep-rooted crops

Indigenous Cropping Systems

India has many traditional diverse cropping systems:

Navadhanya System (Nine Grains):
A sophisticated intercropping system for dryland areas:

• Main crop harvested in 3 months
• First intercrop harvested in 4 months
• Second intercrop harvested in 6 months
• Border crops of millets
• Limited crops for household consumption

This system traps erratic rainfall and ensures at least 2/3 of crops succeed even in drought years.

Natural Farming Recommendations

Natural farming typically follows mixed/intercropping patterns:

• Maintain at least 8-10 crop types across the farm
• Each field should have 2-4 crops, including one legume
• Adjacent plots should have different crops
• Include perennial trees and hedgerows
• Ensure 365-day crop cover through strategic planning

Getting Started

1. Assess your current system: What crops do you grow? How diverse is your farm?
2. Plan crop combinations: Consider complementary crops that can grow together
3. Include legumes: They fix nitrogen for subsequent crops
4. Start small: Try intercropping in one field first
5. Learn from neighbors: Traditional farmers often have valuable cropping system knowledge

Crop diversity is not just about growing more types of food—it's about building a resilient farming system that can withstand pests, weather extremes, and market fluctuations while steadily improving soil health.