Geographical Factors Affecting Cropping Pattern

Cropping pattern is the spatial representation in association with crop rotations, with the inclusion of listings of crop growth within individual areas, conditions and timeframe. It is dependent on a large variety of components such as demand, climate, market value, historical setting, soil, labour availability and support price. Geographical factors affecting cropping patterns are inclusive of 4 primary factors, namely soil, relief, rainfall and temperature. The primary forms of cropping patterns used in India are noted to be Rabi, Kharif and Zaid. Other notable patterns are monoculture, multi-cropping and mixed cropping.

Cropping pattern

Cropping pattern means the proportion of fixed area, which is directed towards the growth distribution and intending variation as well. It also requires adjustments, changes based on factor determination. This particular procedure, as per the approach presented in India, is subject to determinants such as soil type, rainfall, climatic conditions and temperature. Technology has also incorporated a pivotal role in the determination of crop patterns, procuring prevalent examples of progress. One such example is the “High Yield Varieties Seeds” adoption, in the mid-1960s, along with fertilisers. This was incorporated in different regions of “Western Uttar Pradesh”, Punjab and Haryana for the purpose of increasing significant wheat production. 

The primary goal is to derive benefits by extracting resources from a “given resource base” that is directed towards specific types of environmental conditions. As a result, the cropping system and cropping pattern are implemented in a variety of ways. Mono-cropping, crop rotation, mixed intercropping, sequential cropping, and stir cropping are some of the options. Relay cropping, row intercropping, and multiple-cropping are also included, with mono-, inter-, and multi-cropping being the most common in India.

Types of cropping pattern

The essential cropping pattern in India is inclusive of a plethora of approaches on the basis of geographical and demographic divisions. The types of cropping pattern implemented in India are inclusive of the rice-wheat pattern in the regions of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, MP, Haryana and Bihar. The main geographical factors affecting cropping patterns are decrease in soil nutrition, over-mining and declining water table, with this type suffering extensively. Two other crucial types of cropping pattern are noted to be Mixed Cropping and Intercropping. The essential aspects of geographical factors affecting cropping pattern particularly for lack of irrigation, droughts, erratic distribution of rainfall. 

Other types are pointed out to be maize-wheat, sugarcane-wheat, cotton-wheat and soya bean-wheat popular in different parts of India. The primary constraints associated with soya bean-wheat are the limited count of genetic diversity, short periods of growth in the current Indian latitudes and insects. These types of cropping patterns are primarily employed in different parts of Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. Another significant type is described to be the cropping system and cropping pattern for Legumes which is prominently implemented in the agricultural sectors of Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Accordingly, it is to be viewed that the geographic factors affecting cropping pattern include erratic weather, waterlogging, flower drop, n-fixation inadequacy.

Cropping system and cropping pattern

Cropping system and cropping pattern are two variables vital in the procedure of agricultural development within India. Accordingly, a cropping system and cropping pattern are subject to being interlinked, with the cropping system acting as cropping pattern management. The primary purpose is for deriving benefits by means of extraction from the “given resource base” directed from specific forms of environmental conditions. Accordingly, the implementation of the cropping system and cropping pattern are inclusive of varying types. They are namely mono-cropping, crop rotation,mixed intercropping, sequential cropping, and stir cropping. It is also inclusive of relay cropping, row intercropping, and multiple-cropping, among which mono-, inter-, and multi-cropping are chiefly utilised within India. 

A cropping pattern refers to the predetermined area proportion that depends on growth distribution and rate. It is done for the cultivation of different crops for a different and specific amount of time. According to the Indian approach, this procedure is affected by factors such as soil type, rainfall, climatic conditions, and temperature. Technology is also said to play a key influence in determining crop patterns, resulting in several examples of advancement. Furthermore, it is also procured that India is primarily an agrarian economy, depending extensively upon varying ranges of cropping pattern for induced growth.

Conclusion

A cropping pattern refers to a spatial depiction of crop rotations that include lists of crop development within distinct places, circumstances, and timeframes. It is influenced by a number of factors, including demand, climate, market value, historical context, soil, labour availability, and support price. Soil, relief, rainfall, and temperature are four key geographical elements that influence agricultural patterns. Rabi, Kharif, and Zaid are the three most common cropping patterns found in India. Monoculture, multi-cropping, and mixed cropping are other significant patterns that are mainly implemented in this country. The cropping system and cropping pattern are two critical aspects of India’s agricultural growth process. Cropping systems are interconnected, with the cropping system serving as cropping pattern management.