Question

How do you calculate cropping intensity?

Hint:

A fast check: if half the area is double-cropped and the rest single-cropped, intensity \(\approx 150%\) (because GCA \(=1.5\times\) NSA).

Answer 1

Definition: Cropping intensity measures how many crops are raised on the same net sown area during one agricultural year.
Formula:
\[ \text{Cropping Intensity (%)} \;=\; \frac{\text{Gross Cropped Area (GCA)}}{\text{Net Sown Area (NSA)}} \times 100 \]
Where:
Gross Cropped Area (GCA) = Total area sown adding each sowing, i.e., if a field is sown twice it is counted twice.
Net Sown Area (NSA) = Actual physical area sown at least once during the year.
Interpretation:
If the same land is single-cropped, \(\text{GCA} = \text{NSA}\) and intensity \(=100%\).
If some land is double-cropped, \(\text{GCA} > \text{NSA}\) and intensity \(>100%\).
Example (numerical):
NSA \(= 100\) ha, of which 50 ha are double-cropped and 10 ha are triple-cropped.
GCA \(= 50\times 1 + 50\times 2 + 10\times 1\) (for the third crop on the 10 ha) \(= 50 + 100 + 10 = 160\) ha.
Cropping Intensity \(= \dfrac{160}{100}\times 100 = 160%\).
How to increase it (typical levers):
Assured irrigation, short-duration/high-yielding varieties, timely inputs and mechanization, multiple/relay cropping, soil-moisture conservation.
\[ \text{Key: Use } \text{GCA}/\text{NSA}\times 100 \text{ and remember: multiple cropping } $\Rightarrow$ \text{ intensity } > 100%. \]