Q. What are the major reasons for declining rice and wheat yield in the cropping system? How crop diversification is helpful is to stabilize the yield of the crops in the system? (150 Words. 10 Marks)

Answer:

Approach:

  • Introduction: Begin with the current status and significance of rice and wheat in India’s agricultural landscape.
  • Body: 
    • Discuss the reasons behind the decreasing productivity of rice and wheat.
    • Highlight the advantages of diversifying crops as a method to combat declining yields.
  • Conclusion: Conclude, emphasizing the multifaceted benefits of crop diversification for ensuring sustained yields and ecological balance.

Introduction:

India’s agrarian landscape, underpinned by staple crops like rice and wheat, is witnessing a paradigm shift. Despite the country being the second-largest producer of wheat and rice globally, regions, notably North-west India, have observed declining yields. 

Body:

Major Reasons for the Declining Yield:

  • Declining Soil Productivity:
    • Continuous cropping has led to soil fatigue, loss of essential minerals, and an increase in salinity.
    • For example, Punjab, the ‘Granary of India’, has seen a drop in soil fertility due to over-cultivation and absence of fallow periods.
    • Studies indicate that in some regions of Punjab, soil organic carbon levels have decreased by about 15-20% over the last two decades.
  • Impact of Climatic Changes:
    • Global warming and erratic monsoons have jeopardized the predictable climate essential for these crops.
    • For instance, wheat production in Haryana faced a setback in 2020 when untimely rains coupled with increased temperatures affected the crop’s maturity.
    • A study by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute found that for every 1°C increase in temperature, wheat yields could decrease by 4-5%.
  • Unscientific Agricultural Practices:
    • Over-reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and improper irrigation techniques have compromised soil health.
    • For example, excessive irrigation in rice fields of Andhra Pradesh led to a condition called ‘alkaline soils’, which are less productive.
    • India uses 2.2 times more fertilizer than the global average per hectare of arable land, as per the World Bank.

Crop Diversification as a Solution:

  • Nutrient Management and Soil Health:
    • Different crops extract varied nutrients from the soil. Rotating crops ensures balanced nutrient extraction and replenishment.
    • For example, introducing pulses post a paddy harvest can help fix atmospheric nitrogen, replenishing the soil’s nitrogen content.
    • According to FAO, crop rotation can increase soil nutrient content by up to 25%.
  • Conservation of Water Resources:
    • Diversifying into less water-intensive crops can reduce stress on water tables.
    • For instance, transitioning to millets in semi-arid regions can reduce water usage by up to 60% compared to paddy.
    • Millets require just around 250-350 mm of water, whereas rice demands 1250-5000 mm.
  • Enhanced Pest and Disease Management:
    • Crop diversification can disrupt the life cycles of pests and diseases specific to a particular crop.
    • For example, introducing mustard in a wheat-paddy rotation can deter pests common to both wheat and rice.
    • As per studies, diversifying crops can reduce pest-related losses by up to 40%.

Conclusion:

India’s agricultural resilience hinges on its adaptability. While rice and wheat are staples, the declining yields necessitate a re-examination of our agricultural practices. Crop diversification emerges as a holistic solution, addressing soil health, water conservation, and pest management. Embracing these shifts can ensure sustained yields, ecological balance, and food security for the nation.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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