Source: Andrews, D.J., and A.H. Kassam. 1976. The importance of multiple cropping in increasing world food supplies. p. 1-11. In R.I. Papendick et al. (ed.) Multiple cropping. ASA Special Publ. 27, Am. Soc. Agron., Madison, WI.

Multiple cropping describes forms of cropping in which several crops are grown simultaneously, or sole crops are grown in sequence, or a combination of sole and mixed crops are grown in sequence. Multiple cropping for food production is widespread in the developing world because it allows farmers to have a low but steady production. Multiple cropping can help feed the growing population by intensifying production per unit area of existing and potentially arable land. Andrews and Kassam define eight major multiple cropping patterns. The authors go on to state that in areas of rain fed agriculture where irrigation is economically unrealistic, the extent of crop growth is limited by the duration of the wet season. Multiple cropping is found in such areas that receive from 300-1000 mm of rainfall. Crops grown together with a similar maturity rate can have higher total productivity than a single crop. However, crops that are mixed together usually differ in maturity rates so that competition between the two crops is separated by time. Maximum yields should be obtained with sequences of high yielding crops in compatible mixtures. Yields of multiple-cropped plots have been more than twice that of sole-cropped plots under similar management. Other advantages of multiple cropping include increased water use efficiency, increased nitrogen use efficiency, and better weed control when compared to sole cropping. Multiple cropping is also advantageous because it gives the farmer more security through greater dependability of return than sole cropping. The authors state that it is in the rain fed areas of the developing world that multiple cropping could be further exploited to improve production of food. The benefits of multiple cropping include job opportunities associated with its high labor input requirement, increased food per unit land, improved weed control, flexibility to fit the needs of the small farmer in the developing world, and more reliable production.

Abstract author: Judson Reid, 10 December 1995.

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