What is Crop Farming? Everything You Need to Know

Through crop farming, farmers produce crops on a large scale. It provides food, fuel, and fiber to the global population.

But, there is more to it.

Crop farming is an essential part of the entire global economy. It does not only offer food security but also provides employment benefits. It also provides the industries with essential raw materials. Let’s focus on all aspects of crop farming, the types, benefits, drawbacks, and more. 

Introduction of Crop Farming & Its Importance in Agriculture:

Crop farming produces various crops to provide the local communities and the rural areas with food security. The production happens on a large scale. 

The produced crops are considered to be the only source of food for human beings and farmed animals. The crops provide them with the required nutrients like proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

Importance of Crop Farming in Agriculture:

Crop farming provides the majority of the rural population with employment opportunities. In developing countries also, crop farming plays an important role in securing the country’s economic state. 

Also, countries like the United States often trade the surplus crops to foreign lands. The exportation of the crops strengthens the trade relations between the different countries. 

Types of Crops Farmed:

The major industrial crops are produced through crop farming. Some of the most profitable crops that are usually cultivated are ginger and other essential culinary herbs. Some of the farmed herbs include cilantro and basil. 

Other popular crops include potatoes, rice, wheat, corn, etc. These are mostly the staple food crops across several different nations. China is the largest producer of these crops. 

However, countries with colder temperatures like Australia produce almost 25 Million tonnes of wheat in a year. Australia produces the world’s 3.5% of the total annual wheat production. The crop growth in Australia has increased to 36.3% in 2021-2022.

Coarse gain crops like oats, sorghum, corn, barley, etc are grown in New South Wales. Western Australia, etc. Slightly warmer temperatures in countries like South Australia, Victoria, and Queensland are ideal for these crops. The crops are usually imported to other countries. 

Also, Brazil and other tropical countries produce crops like sugarcane. A humid temperature is required to grow these crops. Brazil is the largest sugarcane producer in the world. 

Six Types of Farmed Crops:

Depending on the market demands and basic characteristics, the crops cultivated can be categorized into six different sections. Let’s know what they are.

Food crops: These are cultivated solely for human consumption. The harvesting of food crops provides food security to the population of a country. Examples include grains like rice, barley, corn, oats, millet, rye, sorghum, etc. 

Legumes like green peas, chickpeas, kidney beans, peanuts, etc, and nuts like cashews, almonds, etc. are also popular food grains. 

Feed crops: Livestock and farmed animals graze on these feed crops to develop. Some of the popular examples include alfalfa, rutabaga, stubble turnips, different types of vegetables, arable silage, etc. 

Fiber crops: These crops provide the industries with raw materials like fibers. These are crucial in the rope, textile, and paper industries. Some of the popular fiber crops are cotton, flax, kenaf, jute, hemp, etc. 

Oil crops: Oil crops are those from which edible oils or industrial oils are derived. Some of the popular examples of oil crops are sunflower seeds, rapeseed, canola, soybeans, peanuts, flaxseed, sesame, mustard, castor, etc.

Ornamental crops: Ornamental crops are functional in decorating spaces. These might include plants or flowers. Some of the popular examples include rose, petunia, cactus, dahlia, chrysanthemum, etc.

Industrial crops: Industrial crops supply valuable food crops for human consumption. Some of the examples of industrial crops are maize, cotton, soybean, wheat, switchgrass, etc. These are also very useful in deriving important industrial products. 

Why is Crop Farming Different from Livestock Farming?

Crop farming and livestock farming, both are important aspects of agriculture. However, there are some major differences between these two types of farm agriculture. 

Crop farming and its success rate depend on the weather. Severe weather conditions and natural calamities can negatively affect the production of crops. However, most of the farmed animals can survive extreme weather conditions. That is why, the possibility of getting annual returns is higher with livestock farming.

But, the farmed animals require everyday care for their growth. The cows need to be milked every day and the farm animals need to graze 365 days a year. all Crop farmers might leave their crops for a day or so in case there is a possibility of natural calamity.  Crop farming might require less human labour compared to livestock farming.

Crop farming can affect the livestock farming process. When the prices of the crop get higher, the feed price of the farmed animals also gets higher. The marginal profit of the livestock farmers may get lower in that case.  

Livestock farmers can not store animal-derived products. Once the product is derived it needs to be sold in the market. However, the crop farmers can store their crops and sell them to the market when the demand is higher. 

Also, the equipment required for crop farming is different from those required for livestock farming. Livestock farmers use feeders, manure spreaders, milking machinery, etc. They also need to invest money in purchasing grazing lands, animals, etc. Crop farmers need machinery for planting seeds, harvesting, tractors, etc. They need to invest to buy the seeds, machinery, etc. 

Factors Responsible for Crop Selection:

To produce large-scale crops, it is extremely important to select the right type of crops. There are a number of factors that can decide what type of crops can be farmed.

Climate: Every crop requires a definite temperature for better growth. Some of the crops require warmer temperatures, and some of them need colder temperatures. Crops like eggplants, cucumbers, and tomatoes might need warm temperatures, at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit or twenty-one degrees Celsius. 

Crops like carrots, broccoli, and lettuce require temperatures that are below 70 degrees Fahrenheit or twenty-one degrees Celsius.

Soil Quality: Most crops grow on soil with a pH ranging from 6.2 to 6.8. Also, the soil needs to be fertile. The right balance between the soil components like silt, sand, and clay should be well-maintained. 

Rainfall: Rainfall plays an important role in selecting crops. In places where rainfall is not adequate, crops might suffer from poor health due to drought. It might result in lower crop yield. 

Also, too much rainfall is harmful to the crop’s growth. It can cause flooding and waterlogging. If crops get too wet, they can catch fungi or mold. An ideal atmosphere is required for crop growth with moderate rainfall and a good water supply.  

Market Demands: Market demands and environmental conditions can also affect crop selection. Depending on the convenience of farming, and transportation, different places have requirements for different types of crops. 

Types of Crop Farming: A Detailed Overview

There are different practices associated with crop farming. Depending on the processes different types of farming processes have individual significances. Let’s look into them in detail. 

Subsistence Farming:

The subsistence farming process involves traditional farming methods. It produces crops on a small scale only for local consumption. The subsistence farmers usually produce crops only to sustain their family members. They do not produce surplus crops for the purpose of selling in the market. The farmed crops are usually consumed by the local community members only. 

It provides food security to the farmers. It helps in the reduction of the poverty rate, especially in low-income countries. Also, it has some other benefits as well like improved soil health due to less use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, etc. This way, the nutritional values of the soil are also retained and restored. 

Shifting cultivation is an example of subsistence farming where the farmers grow crops for a year or so. After that, they move somewhere else and return to the land once the soil nutrients are restored. Nomadic herding, horticulture, and dairy farming are some of the popular examples of subsistence farming. 

 Commercial Farming:

It is a large-scale crop production practice. The crops and livestock are grown and raised to make market profits. 

Commercial farming requires large areas of land and a high initial investment in order to purchase land, farming equipment, etc. 

With the help of modern technology, commercial farming requires less involvement of human labour. Only high-demand food crops are cultivated through this farming technique. Several commercial industries also grow based on this type of farming. It provides food security and creates job opportunities in a country.

The Organic and Sustainable Farming Practices

 Organic Crop Farming:

Organic farming practices play a crucial role in the reduction of non-renewable energy source usage.  It involves less use of agro-chemical components.

It is a highly popular farming method because it reduces the greenhouse effects and global warming. This has a unique ability to isolate the carbon particles in the soil. 

However, that is not it. There are other benefits as well. It improves soil health and lowers the rate of soil and water pollution. Organic farming can store carbon. It can return the carbon particles to the soil by feeding the farmed animals on grasslands. This farming method uses organic methods to control pests and organic fertilizers for crop growth.  

Sustainable Farming:

Sustainable farming methods can conserve non-renewable energy resources. It also reduces chemical use in farming and helps in saving natural resources. 

Beside, It involves sustainable practices like crop rotation, and planting cover crops like clover, rye, etc. It also grows perennial crops that keep the soil covered throughout the year. 

The Integrated Pest Management system involves the use of mechanical and biological farming methods. This also results in less use of chemical farming inputs. 

Additional Requirements of Crop Farming:

Physical Labour: The processes of crop farming like planting the seeds, controlling weeds, harvesting, etc need a significant amount of human labour. However, to make tasks easier, there are modern technologies and equipment available. 

The Right Storage: Large-scale crop production and selling them to the food market need the right storage system. The cultivators need to store the food grains the right way before they get supplied to the market. 

A good storage system is crucial to avoid crop damage during transportation. Also, several types of chemical agents are used to keep the food grains fresh for longer hours and protected from pests, germs, microbes, etc.

Farming Equipment: To save time and human labour, agro-business heads need to invest in advanced farming machinery. These devices and equipment can track the important factors for crop growth and plow the farmlands easily. 

Investments: The agro-business holders might need to invest in farmlands, farming machinery, seeds, etc to initiate the farming process.

What Else You Need to Know about Crop Farming?

No Need for Everyday Attention: You can take one or two days off from crop farming. Crops do not require constant attention. In case of severe weather changes, you can leave the crops on their own. 

Price Fluctuations: The market price of the food crops fluctuates. The price usually depends on the market demands. 

Steps for Successful Crop Farming & Soil Preparation:

Choosing the Right Crop:

The selection of crops for farming is the most crucial stage. Depending on the climate and the environmental changes, the farmers usually select some specific crops that will grow the best.

Also, the soil quality and the water resources might also determine crop selection. 

Some crops grow in colder climates and some require a warmer atmosphere. Similarly, some crops need more rainfall, and in some cases, moderate rainfall is enough for crop growth. 

Also, practices like crop rotation can help the soil nutrients to get restored. It results in better crop yield. 

Preparing the Soil:

Preparing the soil is crucial for better crop production. Providing the seeds with a better seedbed is very important. The soil testing process helps in determining the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. 

It tracks the pH level, nutrient levels, and the organic matter content. It helps in determining that the soil is not deficient in nutrients and how much fertilizer is required. 

Soil amendments are inorganic or organic substances. The organic ones come from lying things and the inorganic components are usually man-made. This practice involves the use of compost, fertilizer, animal manure, etc for crop production. 

The Popular Planting Techniques:

The right way of seeding and weeding can improve crop production rate. The right planting depth can play a major role in better crop yield. In dryer weather conditions, the seeds should be planted 1.5 to approximately 2 inches deeper so that they can get enough water content from the sale. 

Also, maintaining proper space between the planted seeds is crucial. Planting them too close to one another can result in competition in order to get enough nutrients and sunlight. It adversely affects their growth. 

There are a lot of modern tools for sowing, planting, and transplanting seeds. Single axle tractor is one such tool that can plow the farmlands efficiently. 

Crop Care and Maintenance:

Some crucial measures are taken for better crop care and maintenance. Having proper access to good water resources is extremely important. In dryer climate regions, good irrigation techniques ensure better crop yield.

Also, depending on the production scale, organic or chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides are used for advanced disease control. There are several techniques that fall under the Integrated Pest Management method. They can prevent the growth of pests and do not rely on the usage of pesticides only. 

The method involves practices for the prevention of pests by plating resistant plants. It focuses on the reduction of the pest population by using biological control. In the end, it emphasizes the elimination of pests by using safe and effective pest control methods.

Weeding can damage crops. However, it takes quite a lot of time for farmers to manually uproot the weeds per hectare. There is modern machinery nowadays that helps them conduct tasks easily and faster. It saves time and human labour. 

Also, the farmers can take the help of mechanical and chemical ways of controlling weeds. The mechanical process involves manually uprooting the weeds. The chemical process involves the use of chemical agents to destroy the weeds. 

Harvesting and Post-Harvest Management:

 Different crops are cultivated in different seasons. Rabi crops like wheat, peas, barley, mustards, and grams are harvested in October-December and from April to June. 

Kharif crops like rice, jowar, cotton, maize, and jute are usually harvested in winter around September to October. And, Zaid crops like fruits are sown in the month of
March and July. Also, grains require 20% to 25% moisture content for optimum growth. 

So, maintaining the correct temperature and moisture content is essential for crop growth. 

Storage and Processing for The Market:

Once the crops are harvested following the right process, farmers handle them the right way to avoid any future damage. 

Then, cooling the crops is essential and helps in the reduction of respiration and enzyme activity. It helps in maintaining the quality of the crops.  

The crops need to be stored in a cold environment. It is important to maintain the right ventilation and humidity level. It retains the quality for a longer period of time. 

The farmers also pack the food crops to avoid damage during transportation. The right storage and transportation are essential to gain market profit. Also, the right processing of the crops is important. It involves drying, preserving, and heat processing of the crops. 

8 Benefits of Crop Farming:

Improved Soil Health: Crop farming can increase soil fertility. The use of different farming inputs can help in restoring soil nutrients. It increases the rate of crop production.

Crop Diversity: Different types of crops are harvested in farming. The rotational crop plantation helps replenish the soil nutrients that boost soil health.

Improved Pest Management: Crop rotation can also help in preventing the growth of pests in the farmlands. 

Water & Soil Conservation: Good farming practices lead to conservation of the non-renewable energy resources like water, soil, etc.

Increased Crop Production: Modern technologies lead to better crop production. The farmers are better informed these days about crop health and the additional factors that can promote better cultivation 

Prevents Soil Erosion: Crop farming prevents the top layer of the soil from withering away. This reduces the chances of soil erosion.  

Maintains Biodiversity: The organic method of crop production can help maintain the balance in biodiversity. It leads to better management of natural resources and crop yield. 

Employment Opportunities: The expansion of farming techniques, growth of farming sectors, better crop production, and livestock rearing all create more employment opportunities. The gradual development of agro-business and related commercial industries can give rise to more jobs in rural as well as urban areas. 

3 Drawbacks of Crop Farming:

Crop farming has some drawbacks. Let’s into them one by one. 

Might Affect Agriculture: The ever-increasing population results in the loss of enough farmland to grow crops. Due to this, it becomes difficult to produce enough crops to sustain the greater population of the world. 

Depletion of Soil Nutrients: Sometimes the top layer of the soil gets washed away by air or water. This way, the important nutrients of the soil also get reduced. It results in lower crop yield.

The Social Impact of Crop Farming:  There are some negative social aspects associated with crop farming. Cash crop or food grain cultivation might lead to several conflicts among individuals over land rights. The increased competition might lead to poor rearing conditions for farmed animals. 

Innovations in Crop Farming: All You Need to Know

Crop farming uses several new technologies for faster crop production and management. Let’s look into the technologies that you can take help with.

Precision Farming and Use of Technology 

Monitoring fields is easier nowadays with remote sensing. Also, Geographic Information Systems, known as GIS help the farmers to track soil survey maps and to record plant characteristics. 

There are multiple IoT devices like drones and sensors to track soil conditions and climate. With these devices, the farmers can identify the patterns of crop growth and predict the rate of crop yield. 

Variable Rate Technology uses gadgets like drones. It tracks the use of water, fertilizers, and pesticides to control the possibility of overuse. Accelerometers, GPS, and INS drones can monitor livestock movement and automated targeted spraying along with crop monitoring.

Genetically Modified (GM) Crops: Benefits and Concerns

Genetically Modified crops are more resistant to pests, weather fluctuations, and severe climatic conditions. It can improve soil quality and reduce food waste. Also, it promotes food security and helps developing countries fight hunger issues.

However, some people and children might suffer from allergic reactions due to the consumption of GM crops. Also, due to genetic changes, it might be harmful to human health. The cross-pollination of these crops with wild species might not be good for food health. Gradually, the pests will be resistant to these crops which might lower the production rate. 

Vertical Farming and Hydroponics as Alternatives

Vertical farming, the stacked growth of crops and hydroponics, or the growth of crops in water can be combined. It helps the farmers to manage space. These are sustainable farming practices. 

These techniques help in the reduction of water and pesticide use. These practices are organic methods and they do not harm the environment. 

Crop Farming Tips for Beginners:

For those who want to start their crop farming journey for the first time, here are some tips to follow. They need to analyze the soil type and select the crops that will grow better under a particular climate.

Also, they need to have an idea of how manure and organic fertilizers are used for better crop growth. They also need to learn about the methods to repel the pests. 

A good irrigation system is crucial and the beginners need to provide enough water supply for crop growth. 

They need to come up with proper planning for rotational crop plantation. Also, they need to analyze the market demands to get better marginal profits.

Importance of Planning, Research, and Budgeting

The proper planning includes purchasing farmland, selecting crops, understanding the market demand, etc. The beginners need to communicate with the farmers to create a plan of how they should multiply the crop production. 

They need to start small and gradually increase their crop production. The correct timing to plant the seeds, and the type of pesticides, and fertilizers that farmers should use should be well-researched.

Also, fixing the right budget beforehand is important. The correct budgeting will help you as a beginner in proper financial management and avoid unexpected expenses. It also helps the farmers to coordinate the production, resources, and expenses. They will be able to use the resources in a better way.

Budgeting will also help you in setting up a proper plan for the future. You will have opportunities to manage your savings as well as investments in a far better way. Also, you will be able to manage risks associated with unpredicted circumstances.

Recommendations for Continuous Learning 

Crop farming and its practices are evolving every other day.

To pace up with the rapid growth, and technical advancements, you need to focus on a continuous learning process.

You need to learn about how Artificial Intelligence works in forming a deep sense of learning. Also, you need to stay updated about the latest gadgets and equipment for better crop management and production.

You might join workshops and other courses to learn about crop farming, its practices, technologies used, and more. 

Are You Ready for Crop Farming? 

The growth of different food crops depends on several important factors. The weather, climate changes, temperature, soil quality, and water access all can influence the productivity rate of crops. 

However, the right way of farming and adopting sustainable methods of agriculture might lead to better crop growth. 

So, if you are planning to move ahead with crop farming, it is high time that you learn about the different techniques. Also, be aware of the institutional changes as well as policy responses to avoid future conflicts. Fix a budget and plan accordingly so that you can yield more crops. 

Frequently Asked Questions: