Many farmers grow one crop repeatedly on the same field over-and-over again. Crop diversification is the cultivation of several crops of a different species or variety (of one crop) in one plot at any given point in time. The main advantage of implementing crop diversification is that it enhances household climate resilience through reducing risk of monocrop failure due to pests, disease, low rainfall and other climate risks.
Employing crop diversification may also provide opportunity of more diversified income sources and dietary diversity. Farmers can simultaneously grow both food crops, fodder and cash crops in an attempt to increase household food security and improve household incomes. There are also indications that crop diversification can increase crop productivity, which for poorer households can have significant positive impacts. For better capitalised farms, return on specialisation may be higher, and will likely not realise the desired returns.
To effectively undertake crop diversification:
- Step 1: Identify potential market opportunities for alternative crops in local/sub-national/national area.
- Step 2: Determine crops that farmer wishes to plant and the purpose whether it be household food stuff, cash crop or fodder crop.
- Step 3: Establish local demonstration plots at the local level growing non-traditional crops that have market demand and can be incorporated into local farming systems.
- Step 4: Prepare smaller plot through clearing and weeding. CCARDESA recommends a no tillage approach (Technical Brief 12).
- Step 5: Secure seeds of desired crops and follow planting guidance if the crop has not been previously grown. Sow seeds on small plot.
- Step 6: Track progress of crop and harvest and process as required.
- Step 7: Discuss cost benefit of growing diversified crops with farmers.
- Step 8: Farmers should gradually integrate a new crop(s) into their farming system to ensure that they are comfortable with diversifying at a greater scale.
- The Food and Agriculture Organisation, 2017. Is crop diversification a panacea for climate resilience in Africa. FAO Agricultural Development Economics Policy Brief 2. Rome, Italy.
- FAO 2018. Crop diversification increases productivity and stabilizes income of small-holders. FAO Agricultural Development Economics Policy Brief 8. Rome, Italy.
- The Southern African Development Community (SADC), 2012. Agriculture and Food Security. Gaborone, Botswana.
Benefits
- Diversification provides opportunity to increase farmer resilience.
- Substantial opportunity for increased crop productivity
- Food security, farm income, household nutrient improvements.
- Scaled up as farmers gain confidence.
Drawbacks
- Farmer hesitation.
- Require enough space to introduce additional crop.
- Failure in diversified variety/species may dissuade farmers in the future.
- Not encouraged for better capitalised farms, as returns to specialisation can be higher.
