Crops in Cropping Systems and Farming Systems

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to cropping systems and farming systems, aiding in understanding essential concepts for the exam.

Farm System

Refers to the household, its resources, and the resource flows and interactions at an individual farm.

Farming System

A population of individual farm systems with the same resources, enterprise patterns, and household livelihoods.

Intensification of Production

A strategy for farm development that focuses on increasing the yield from existing agricultural land.

Diversification of Agricultural Activities

A strategy that involves engaging in a variety of agricultural practices to reduce risk and improve income.

Farm Size

The total area of land managed by a farm, often influencing production capacity and income.

Smallholder Farms

Farms that are typically less than two hectares in size, producing about one-third of the world's food.

Crop Rotation

A systematic approach to growing different crops in consecutive seasons on the same land to improve soil health and reduce pests.

Ecosystem Services

The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, such as pollination, nutrient cycling, and climate regulation.

Knowledge Intensity

The level of expertise and organizational effort applied to the management and cultivation of crops per hectare.

Annual vs. Perennial Crops

Annual crops complete their life cycle in one year, while perennial crops live for multiple years and can provide ongoing harvests.