CROP FARMING SYSTEMS

 THE  THREE TYPES OF CROP FARMING SYSTEMS 

1. MONOCULTURE

- Monoculture means planting the same of crops over and over on the same piece of land. 

ADVANTAGES OF MONOCULTURE 

• The farmer becomes skilled at growing that particular crop                                                               •The system is easy to us.                                                • The same tools can be used each year for planting ,weeding and harvesting. 

DISADVANTAGES OF MONOCULTURE 

• Poor yield because crops use the same nutrients from the soil each year.                                                    • Fertilizers need to be added to restore the soil fertility.                                                                                 • It is difficult to control pests and diseases. 

2. MIXED FARMING 

- This means keeping animals and growing crops on the same piece of land. 

ADVANTAGES OF MIXED FARMING 

• Crop remains can be used as food for animals.        • Animal manure can be used to fertilise the soil.      • Farmer avoid a total failure.                                        • A variety of food is obtained from the farm. 

DISADVANTAGES OF MIXED FARMING 

• Farmers need experience in growing crops and keeping animals.                                                                • Animare not well controlled ,they can destroy the crops.                                                                                   • Space is required 

3. CROP ROTATION 

- Crop rotation is the growing of different crops in a given sequence on the same piece of land in order to make the best use of the soil.

THE PRINCIPLES OF CROP ROTATION 

• Leave one plot unused to recover.                              • The rotation must include a legume.                          • Crops of the same family must not follow each other in the rotation.                                                         • Plants that use the same nutrients must not follow each other. 

ADVANTAGES OF CROP ROTATION 

• Total crop failure can be avoided by the farmers in the event of disease outbreak.                                   • It is easy to control pests ,diseases and weeds by breaking their life cycle.                                                  • Legume used in a rotation add nitrogen in the soil  • It improves soil structure. 

DISADVANTAGES OF CROP ROTATION 

• It involves risk.                                                                • Requires more knowledge and skills.