Future perspectives of multiple cropping

In light of evidence that intensive cropping systems are increasing in importance in much of the world, this article examines: (1) the biological potentials of a multiple cropping system, e.g., those achieved through the interactions among system components (weeds, crops, etc.); (2) the ecological and environmental consequences of multiple cropping, such as energy and nutrient cycling; and (3) the economic and social impact of multiple cropping, showing, inter alia, that multiple cropping systems provide income stability and satisfy a range of climatological, social, and biological variables for low-resource farmers. Based on the foregoing, an overview is presented of areas for future research into multiple cropping. While acknowledging the difficulty of predicting the future global importance of multiple cropping, especially given the tendency of high technology to promote monocropping, the article projects ways in which multiple cropping may be improved (especially in high-technology applications) to provide a significant part of the future food supply.