What is crop diversification?

Crop diversification means growing more than one crop in an area. The term describes many strategies and alternatives to mono-cropping (monoculture).

The different crops are cultivated simultaneously or in a rotation. Integrated systems, such as silvopasture and agrivoltaics, are also included. Crop diversification represents the transition from low-value cultivation (e.g., grains) to high-value (e.g., vegetables and fruits). Farmers are known to be vulnerable to weather and market prices. By crop diversification, they spread the production and reduce the risk. Integrated systems such as intercropping in parallel reduce pests by breaking their life cycle.