Summary
Crop diversification means growing more than one crop in an area. Diversification can be accomplished by adding a new crop species or different variety, or by changing the cropping system currently in use. Commonly, it can mean adding more crops into an existing rotation.
Crop diversification refers to the addition of new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production on a farm. Applying horizontal and vertical diversifying, farmers increase the range of potential food and income sources available to them.
Implementation of new diversification biotechnology introduces new cultivated species improving crop varieties that enhance plant productivity, quality, health and nutritional value. At the same time, this approach increases the crop resilience towards diseases, pest organisms and environmental stresses. Crop diversification is often promoted as a strategy to achieve climate resilience and is an effective strategy to deal with climate variability. It refers to the addition of new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production taking into account the different returns from value-added crops with complementary marketing opportunities.
Authors & affiliations
Anna Kujumdzieva
Educational goals/tools
To provide an overview of the crop diversification and associated data commonly used in the agricultural sector for crop diversification and adaptation;
To assess the crop ranking and study the crop combinations;
To provide a background information on the vulnerability of crop diversification to climate change and adaptation options;
To support the educational concept and content with ppt, videos and project work materials.
Key words/phrases
Horizontal crop diversification; Vertical crop diversification; Environmental stress