The 3M Cropping System : Food Security and Sustainable Crop Diversification

Food Security and Sustainable Crop Diversification

Food security in India was made possible by the Green Revolution of the 1960s, which promoted the rice-wheat cropping system. This revolution played a significant role in transforming India

from a ship-to-mouth status to self-sufficiency and even surplus food production. The Green Revolution was facilitated by advanced agricultural technology inputs such as irrigation, quality seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, along with assured public procurement on Minimum Support Price (MSP) with the support of both government and private sectors. As a result, food production increased almost four times, from 82.02 million tons in 1960-61 to 305.44 million tons in 2020-21, consolidating Rice-Wheat as a dominant mono-cropping system in the country.

After Effects of Rice-Wheat Cropping System

Despite the initial success, the rice-wheat cropping system has led to several adverse effects:

Expansion of Area: A vast area (84% in 2018) is dedicated to wheat and rice cultivation, causing ecological imbalances.

Groundwater Depletion: Excessive drainage for irrigation has resulted in the depletion of groundwater levels, threatening long-term water sustainability.

Increased Power Consumption: The cultivation of water-intensive crops requires more power for irrigation.

Subsidy Burden: The government incurs higher subsidies on power supply due to increased electricity consumption in agriculture.

Soil Health Deterioration: Continuous mono-cropping has led to soil nutrient depletion and reduced fertility.

Groundwater Contamination: Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides has contaminated groundwater, affecting both human health and the environment.

Environmental Pollution: The rice-wheat system contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, mainly through stubble burning.

Surplus Food Production: Overproduction has created storage challenges and blocked government funds.

Need for Diversification of Rice-Wheat Cropping System

In the Indo-Gangetic plain area, rice cultivation is not suitable due to water scarcity. The region requires diversification of the current cropping system to address negative environmental, economic, and health implications. Three major factors must be considered for successful crop diversification:

Less Water-Requiring Crops: Opt for crops that demand less water, reducing pressure on groundwater resources.

Financial Reward: Choose crops that offer attractive financial returns, encouraging farmers to switch from traditional crops.

Potential Markets: Identify crops with strong demand in both domestic and international markets.

The 3M Cropping System - A Solution for Diversification

The Maize-Mustard-Mung (3M) cropping system provides a viable solution for diversification. By replacing rice and wheat with maize, pigeon pea, soybean, and mustard, the 3M system can address the issues caused by the rice-wheat cropping system. It is estimated that if 3M is adopted on 30% of the acreage in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, it can significantly contribute to sustainable agriculture.

Advantages of the Resource-Efficient 3M Cropping System

The 3M cropping system offers numerous benefits:

Maize, Mustard, and Mung hybrids/varieties are well-suited for the Indo-Gangetic region, ensuring bumper crop yields.

Maize export opportunities are abundant, including grains, animal feeds, and value-added food products.

Maize fodder supports the livestock industry, providing an additional source of income for farmers.

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions and environmental footprints.

Reduced import of edible oil and pulses, ensuring better quality edible oil availability.

Improved nutritional security through pulse protein-calorie.

Significant water conservation (up to 70%) and support for groundwater recharge.

Substantial power savings (up to 90%) compared to traditional crops.

Reduced pollution due to rice-stubble burning in states like Punjab and Haryana.

Increased income and prosperity for farmers with lower cultivation costs.

Crop Components of the 3M Cropping System

Maize:

Maize, the third most important cereal crop after rice and wheat, has a multifarious use as food, feed, fodder, and raw material for various industrial products. India has been among the top 10 producers of maize globally since 1961, ranking 6th with an annual output of 31.65 million MT.

Maize requires only about one-third of the water used in rice and less than one-fourth of that used in sugarcane.

Maize production uses significantly less power compared to rice.

Long-duration maize hybrids recommended in the 3M system yield 24-25 q/acre easily.

Inter-cropping maize with vegetables in peri-urban agriculture provides additional revenue for farmers.

Maize-based Industries:

Feed for Livestock and Poultry: Maize is in great demand in the feed sector, and Indo-Gangetic plains can be key maize suppliers.

Starch Industry: Maize is a vital source of starch and allied products with diverse industrial applications.

Brewery & Ethanol Industry: Maize is a major source of ethanol in the USA, and India can utilize surplus corn for bio-ethanol production.

Processed Food Industry: Promoting popcorn, baby corn, and sweet corn cultivation can reduce imports and boost exports.

Scope for Export: Non-GM maize produced in India is preferable for export to South-East Asian countries.

Oilseeds

India imports 60% of its domestic edible oil, constituting a significant cost burden. Mustard can be a potential oilseed crop in the 3M cropping system during the rabi season.

Mustard:

Long-duration mustard cultivation following maize helps reduce the risk of frost and aphid attack, leading to increased yield.

Mustard varieties exceeding 140 days fit well in the 3M system and can yield up to 10-12 q/acre.

Increased domestic mustard production will reduce oil import dependence.

Mustard cake, a byproduct, can be utilized in animal feed due to its high protein content, boosting the dairy industry.

Pulses

Pulses are a crucial protein source for the vegetarian population in India. Promoting pulse cultivation can contribute to food security, improve soil fertility, and support farmers economically.

Mung:

Long-duration Mung varieties of 75-80 days can be easily accommodated in the 3M cropping system.

Mungbean helps improve soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation.

Supplementing protein requirements and reducing pulse imports are vital advantages of Mung cultivation.

Requirement of Enabling Policies for 3M-based Crop Diversification

To encourage the adoption of the 3M cropping system, the government needs to implement enabling policies:

Ensure procurement support for Mustard, Moong, and Maize, similar to Wheat and Rice.

Promote domestic demand and potential exports for maize.

Reduce the import bill by increasing domestic mustard production.

Encourage prospective states to provide incentives for replacing rice with the 3M-based cropping system, similar to Haryana's "Mera Pani-Meri Virasat" scheme.