Monoculture Farming- Know About its Pros And Cons

What is Monoculture Farming? 

Monoculture farming is a type of farming in which only one type of crop is grown in a field. The technique of raising only one genetically identical crop, livestock species, or plant at a time is known as monoculture. It also includes a farming or agricultural production method that is used simultaneously. It has been used in both conventional and organic farming, improving planting and harvesting efficiency and lowering farmer costs. Continue reading the article to know more about monoculture farming.

Pros of Monoculture Farming

Below mentioned points are the advantages of Monoculture Farming, check it out.

Easy Management 

Monocultures make farming extremely simple for farmers because they eliminate variation and the associated need to manage more complex system interactions. Because a field planted with a single species is uniform, less thought must be given to the requirements of multiple species because all preparation, inputs, crop maintenance, and harvesting are the same over a large area.

Encourages high-yielding results

Every plant in a monoculture farm goes through the same planting, care, and harvesting procedures. As a result, it increases yields while decreasing costs. Both animals and cattle go through the same birth, development, and maturation process. When the animals reach maturity, the technique provides good returns and lowers the farmer's costs.

Low labor requirements

Plants use synthetic fertilizers, which reduces the amount of extra soil required to grow food. All animals must use the same method of fertilization at the same time.

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This means that even if multiple crops are grown at the same time, only one technique will be required. This is more efficient and profitable for the farmer. Droughts, winds, and short seasons, for example, can be used to cultivate the best field crops because they favor cultivation and have little effect on output.

Cons of Monoculture Farming 

Below mentioned points are the disadvantages of Monoculture Farming, check it out.

Downside the soil's nutrients or fertility

There are no different types of soil and microorganism pests because of the lack of diversity in crops, which increases soil biodiversity from insects and microbes. This means that there are no plant species that naturally contribute to or improve soil nutrients. It also kills bacteria and microbes in the soil, reducing its fertility.

Negative consequences for biodiversity

Because of the excessive use of these inorganic compounds, the organism is forced to develop resistance to pesticides and synthetic herbs. As more inorganic substances are discharged into the soil, the natural ecosystem is being destroyed.

Increased runoff from monocultures is the primary cause of excessive algal blooms in water bodies, which contaminate drinking water supplies, wipe out delicate aquatic species, and, in the worst-case scenario, create hypoxic zones unfit for animal habitation.

Extensive Use of Fossil Fuels

Sorting, packing and transporting the crops for sale all require a substantial amount of fossil fuel energy. The energy required, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and other industrialized methods of producing such foods all have a significant impact on environmental degradation and climate change. Furthermore, it continues to endanger the ecosystem for future generations.

Disrupted Pollination activities 

Monoculture farming harms bees and other pollinators, which are important components of the natural reproduction cycle. Monoculture farming employs an increasing number of pesticides, herbicides, and other chemical compounds that harm and frequently kill pollinating insects to preserve crop growth and the fertility of "impoverished" soils.

Also Read: Here Is Everything You Should Know About Integrated Farming.