croplands

Croplands are lands used for crop production. They include areas cultivated for annual crops such as cereals, legumes, root crops, vegetables, fruits, and industrial crops. In many classifications croplands are a subset of arable land; some systems also classify permanent crops like orchards and vineyards as croplands.

Croplands are characterized by a soil capable of sustaining plant growth, a source of water, and a cropping calendar that governs planting, growth, and harvest. They may be rainfed or irrigated, and can be managed with varying intensities, from monoculture to diversified rotations and from low to high input use.

Globally, croplands occupy a substantial portion of productive land and are central to food security. Major crops provide calories and nutrients and production is shaped by climate, soil health, water availability, technology, and policy environment as well as market conditions.

Management practices include crop rotation, conservation tillage, nutrient management, integrated pest management, and efficient irrigation. Sustainable intensification seeks to raise yields while reducing environmental impacts and maintaining soil health.

Environmental considerations include soil erosion, nutrient runoff, water stress, and greenhouse gas emissions associated with fertilizer use and tillage. Cropland systems also influence biodiversity, carbon storage, and water quality in surrounding ecosystems.

Policy and research focus on soil health, water use efficiency, resistance to drought, and resilience to climate change. Key challenges include land degradation, biodiversity loss, pesticide resistance, and price volatility, all of which affect long-term productivity.