Dr Rana Hamza Shakil thank you for your contribution to the discussion

The aim of crop diversification is to increase crop portfolio so that farmers are not dependent on a single crop to generate their income. Crop diversification and inclusion of new varieties is of the prioritized technology to increase the farm income and profitability. Agricultural crop diversification is an important stress relieving option for economic growth of the farming community. Farmers, at least medium and big farmers associated with small-and marginal-farmers, may think of taking up the agriculture alternatively, say the diversification of crops and integrated farming system, which may turn more remunerative, better input use efficient, and less risk involved. Major advantages of crop diversification include income increases of small farm holdings; less risk for price fluctuation, climatic variability etc.; balancing food demand; increasing the production of quality fodder for livestock animals; beneficial for conserving natural resources; minimize environmental pollution; reduce dependence on off-farm inputs; and community food security can be increased.

I agree by Ravindra M. Muchhadiya that diversifying crops, small farms are less exposed to losses in production and are more resistant to environmental changes. By diversifying crops, it is possible to reduce the risks associated with low income from agricultural production, food insecurity and nutrition insecurity. Crop diversification can better tolerate the ups and downs in price of various farm products and it may ensure economic stability of farming products. Crop diversification provides better conditions for food security and enables farmers to grow surplus products for sale at market and thus help to obtain increased income to meet other needs related to household well-being. Agriculture Diversification refers to either a change in cropping pattern or the farmers opting for other non-farming options like poultry farming, animal husbandry, etc. This practice allows farmers to expand the production, which helps generate a higher level of income. Crop diversification helps in minimizing the alleviating second generations’ problem such as soil degradation, soil salinity, insect-pest and disease insurgence, environmental pollution, decline in farm profit, nutrient imbalance, climate change etc. The introduction of diverse crops and cropping patterns help in a) Reviving soil health, b) Increasing the population of microfauna, c) Increasing resource-use efficiency, d) Preventing change in soil's chemical and biological properties, e) Reducing the application of weedicides or herbicides, etc. Due to diverse agro-climatic conditions in the country, a large number of agricultural items are produced. Broadly, these can be classified into two groups’ food grains crops and commercial crops.It involves a shift from a single-cropping system to a multi-cropping system. Diversification involves a shift in cropping patterns from food grains to cash crops. The main aim is to promote a shift from subsistence farming to commercial farming. Diversification of crop production refers to a system of multiple cropping rather than mono cropping. It may also mean a shift from subsistence farming to commercial farming. It has the three advantages: It lowers the risk of farmer on account of failure of monsoon. Agricultural diversification occurs when more species, plant varieties or animal breeds are added to a given farm or farming community and this may include landscape diversification different crops and cropping systems interspersed in space and time. Therefore, expansion into other sectors is essential to provide supplementary gainful employment and in realising higher levels of income for rural people to overcome poverty and other problems.