Crop diversification: an important way-out for doubling farmers' income

Abstract

Persistent low level of farmers’
income can cause serious adverse
effect on the future of agriculture in
the country. To secure future of
agriculture and to improve livelihood
of half of India’s population,
adequate attention needs to be given
to improve the welfare of farmers and
raise agricultural income.
Introduction, adaption and
acceptance of new varieties as well as
new and upcoming production
technologies can potentially
strengthen farmers’ cropping systems
by increasing yields, improving
drought resilience, boosting
resistance to pests and diseases and
also by capturing new market
opportunities. There is a need to
identify crops and varieties that may
suit to a range of environments and
farmers’ preferences. Crop
diversification provides better
conditions for food security and
enables farmers to grow surplus
products for sale at market and thus
help to obtain increased income to
meet other needs related to
household well-being. Crop
diversification can enable farmers to
gain access to national and
international markets with new
products, food and medicinal plants.
Diversifying from the monoculture of
traditional staples can have important
nutritional benefits for farmers in
developing countries and can support
a country for becoming more selfreliant
in terms of food production.
Diversification can also manage price
risk, on the assumption that not all
products will suffer low market prices
at the same time and increase the
profitability of the farming
community.