Cropping scheme definition, utility, importance and principles of preparation are given below.
Definition of Cropping Scheme
A cropping scheme is a farm budget prepared in advance of a cropping season of the year showing the details of farm activities during the proposed year.
Utility of Cropping Scheme
- To prepared the farm budget for a particular financial year.
- To predict the expected profit or loss.
- To prepare the tentative plan of work during the proposed year.
- To determine the total amount quantity of inputs.
- Input to require and to know in advance.
Importance of Cropping Scheme
- It indicates the cost of seasonal and varietal cultivation.
- For proper management of land, labor, and capital.
- It assists in proper functional planning.
- It assists in the calculation of actual net profit.
- It assists the maintenance of proper farm functions.
- It assists the preparation of the crop calendar in actual time.
- It helps in calculating the cultivation and noncultivation costs.
- It illustrates the essential elements of a farm.
- It illustrates the normal and abnormal conditions of the farm.
- It allows calculations of the profit or loss of future crops.
Principles of preparation of Cropping Scheme
- Consultation should be made of a map, indicating the farm layout such as roads, ponds, irrigation facilities, number of plots and area, etc.
- Varieties of the crop should be selected following local and national requirements.
- Proper crop rotation should be followed for maintaining soil fertility and for controlling pests and diseases.
- Green manuring crops should be cultivated for organic matter.
- A particular place should be earmarked for animal husbandry.
- Irrigation and drainage facilities should be checked and made adequate for the cropping scheme.
- Commercial crops should be considered.
- Last year’s application of fertilizer and its residual effect should be considered.
- A source of capital should be secured.
