Context: Odisha is promoting climate-resilient agriculture through its rice fallow initiative, capitalizing on residual moisture after rice harvest to cultivate short-duration pulses and oilseed crops.

Paira Cropping System: An Overview

Geographical Distribution and Practice

Regions

• The Paira cropping system is predominantly practiced in several states including Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.

Cropping Technique

• Paira cropping represents a relay method of sowing, wherein seeds of lentil, lathyrus, urdbean, or mungbean are broadcasted into the standing rice crop approximately two weeks prior to its harvest.

Agronomic Features

• Unlike conventional cropping systems, the Paira method restricts agronomic interventions such as tillage, weeding, irrigation, and fertilizer application.

• The productivity of the pulses in this system is significantly influenced by the rice variety cultivated.

Advantages of Paira Cropping System

Optimal Resource Utilization

• The Paira cropping system capitalizes on the available soil moisture during the rice harvest, preventing its rapid loss.

Enhanced Yield

• Empirical studies have indicated that Paira cropping yields a higher lentil output compared to traditional cultivation methods involving tillage post rice harvest.

Sustainable Crop Intensification

• Paira cropping exemplifies an efficient approach to sustainable agricultural intensification, facilitating enhanced land productivity while conserving resources.

Relay Cropping Method: A General Overview

Concept

• Relay cropping is a form of multiple cropping wherein a secondary crop is sown into a standing primary crop well before the primary crop’s harvest.

Benefits

• Resource Optimization: Relay cropping addresses challenges related to inefficient resource utilization, enabling optimal use of land, water, and nutrients.

• Sowing Time and Fertilizer Management: This method mitigates conflicts arising from conflicting sowing times and facilitates synchronized fertilizer application.

• Soil Health: Relay cropping aids in soil conservation and minimizes degradation, ensuring sustained agricultural productivity.