If you are involved in farming or agricultural business, crop production and agricultural management form the foundation of your success. Managing agricultural produce is about understanding every step, from selecting the right crops to harvesting and storage.
India achieved an all-time high foodgrain production of 354 million tonnes, a 6.6% increase from the previous year. It has represented the fastest growth rate in the past eight years. Your decisions throughout the crop cycle influence yield quality, profitability, and sustainability.
This blog guides you through the principles of crop production and management of agricultural produce. It covers important components and methods that support efficient farming.
What is Crop Production and Management of Agricultural Produce?
Crop production comprises of a series of interconnected activities.
From:
land preparation,
sowing,
irrigation,
and fertilisation
to crop protection,
harvesting,
and post-harvest handling.
These steps are aimed at growing healthy, high-yield crops for food, fibre, or industrial use.
Management of agricultural produce includes:
Organising these tasks efficiently,
monitoring input usage,
scheduling timely operations,
storing
and transporting harvested crops,
and even marketing them.
The goal is to optimise yield, reduce waste, and maximise income from farm efforts.
Together, these practices require you to balance inputs like soil, water, and nutrients with techniques that suit your environment and crop needs. Proper management helps minimise losses, reduce costs, and maintain soil health for future seasons.
What is Crop Choice and Management?
Choosing the right crop depends on factors such as:
Climate and soil type
Water availability
Market demand and prices
Labour availability
Risk tolerance
Managing crops means adapting practices throughout their growth cycle, selecting quality seeds, sowing on time, providing nutrients, protecting against pests and diseases, and harvesting at the right moment.
Also Read: Fertiliser Spraying Drone for Agriculture – Complete Guide
By managing growth well, you position your farm for consistent production and profitability.
What are the Components of Management of Agricultural Produce?
Farming involves several interconnected parts that need attention to work well together:
Land and Soil
Good soil health forms the base of successful farming. Managing land includes rotating crops to keep the soil fertile and regularly testing the soil to track nutrient levels. It also includes using methods that prevent erosion and loss of valuable topsoil.
Water Resources
It is vital to provide the right amount of water to crops without wasting it. Choosing suitable irrigation techniques depends on the type of crop, soil conditions, and available water sources. This helps crops grow well while saving water.
Inputs
This covers all materials used in farming, such as seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, and equipment. Carefully selecting and applying the right inputs affects plant growth and reduces environmental harm.
Labour and Machinery
Organising human workers and machines helps finish tasks on time and avoids unnecessary delays, making farming more efficient.
Market Access
Observing market conditions, such as demand and prices, helps decide which crops to grow and when to sell, allowing farmers to earn a better income.
Risk Management
Preparing for challenges like pests, unpredictable weather, or fluctuating prices reduces the chance of losses and helps maintain steady production.
Leher simplifies the management of agricultural produce by combining smart drone spraying with real-time field data. Leher has sprayed over 30,000+ acres, served 100+ drone entrepreneurs, and 2100+ farmers, supporting better productivity across all components of farm management.
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What are the Benefits of Crop Production and Management of Agricultural Produce?
Good crop production combined with sound management of agricultural produce improves overall farm performance in many ways:
Increased Productivity
Careful planning and management practices lead to higher crop yields. The right techniques help plants grow stronger and healthier, resulting in more produce from the same land area.
Resource Efficiency
Optimising the use of water, fertilisers, and seeds reduces waste. When inputs are used wisely, costs decrease, and the environment faces less strain, conserving resources for future use.
Cost Savings
Managing farming activities systematically lowers expenses by reducing input overuse and reducing losses caused by pests or poor timing. This careful approach helps keep budgets under control.
Improved Quality
Attention to detail in all stages, from planting to harvesting, produces better-quality crops. Healthier plants and proper handling contribute to higher market value and consumer satisfaction.
Risk Reduction
Preparing for variable weather, pests, and market changes decreases the chance of sudden setbacks. This stability supports steady production and income throughout the season.
Sustainable Farming
Adopting practices that maintain soil health and water balance protects the farm’s long-term viability. This helps preserve the land for future generations while maintaining good yields.
Market Competitiveness
Growing crops with consistent quality and volume builds trust with buyers. Efficient management allows farmers to meet market demands promptly and take advantage of opportunities.
What are the Crop Production and Management of Agricultural Produce Methods?
Crop production and management of agricultural produce involve a range of practices aimed at growing healthy crops while maintaining the farm’s long-term productivity.
These methods cover every farming stage, from preparing the soil to marketing the harvest.
Soil Preparation and Sowing Techniques
Preparing soil properly is the first step. This involves:
Tilling: Breaking up the soil to improve aeration and root penetration.
Leveling: Ensures uniform water distribution.
Seedbed Preparation: Creating a fine seedbed for better seed-soil contact.
Sowing: Methods include broadcasting, drilling, dibbling, and transplanting. Precision in sowing depth and spacing affects germination and plant growth.
Adapting sowing techniques to crop type and local conditions maximises plant population and yield.
Nutrient Management: Manures and Fertilisers
Balanced nutrition is vital. You can supply nutrients through:
Organic Manures: Compost, farmyard manure, and green manures add organic matter and improve soil structure.
Chemical Fertilisers: Provide specific nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Their use requires soil testing to avoid excess or deficiency.
With Leher’s drone-powered precision spraying, you can apply organic and chemical nutrients exactly where and when crops need them. Real-time field insights, guided by soil and leaf data, help you avoid overuse and reduce waste, leading to up to 40% input savings and better soil health. Get balanced nutrition, delivered with precision Leher today.
Using a mix of organic and inorganic sources often works best. Monitoring crop nutrient needs through leaf analysis and soil tests helps refine application rates.
Effective Irrigation Practices
Water is often the most limiting factor. Choose irrigation methods based on crop, soil, and climate:
Flood Irrigation: Simple but may waste water.
Drip Irrigation: Delivers water directly to roots, conserving moisture.
Sprinkler Irrigation: Suitable for uneven terrains.
Subsurface Irrigation: Water supplied below the soil surface reduces evaporation losses.
Scheduling irrigation by crop stage and weather conditions optimises water use efficiency.
Crop Protection Strategies
Protect crops from pests, diseases, and weeds using:
Cultural Practices: Crop rotation, timely planting, and sanitation.
Biological Control: Natural predators and bio-pesticides.
Chemical Control: Judicious use of pesticides with integrated pest management (IPM) principles.
Mechanical Methods: Manual weeding, traps.
You must monitor fields regularly and choose control methods that minimise environmental and health risks.
Leher makes crop protection faster, safer, and more precise with drone spraying, cover up to 50 acres/day with no human exposure. It cuts pesticide use by up to 40% while improving coverage and effectiveness. Get efficient drone spraying to help farmers protect crops from pests and diseases with precision and safety from Leher today.
Harvesting and Storage
Harvesting at the correct stage maintains quality and market value. Timely harvest reduces losses from pests, weather, or over-ripening.
Storage requires:
Proper Drying: Reduces moisture content to prevent spoilage.
Clean, Ventilated Spaces: Limits pest infestations and fungal growth.
Use of Modern Storage Structures: Silos, cold storage for perishable crops.
Post-Harvest Handling: Careful packing and transportation preserve crop quality.
Managing storage well extends shelf life and gives you flexibility in selling produce.
Better Resource Evaluation and Risk Management
You need to regularly assess your farm resources, land, water, labour, and capital. Efficient resource use improves productivity and lowers costs.
Risk management strategies include:
Crop insurance schemes.
Diversification to reduce dependence on one crop.
Using weather forecasts and pest alerts to prepare responses.
Financial planning to manage market price fluctuations.
Preparing for risks stabilises your income and protects your investment.
Leher supports better resource evaluation and risk management by offering precision spraying that saves up to 90% water and 40% on inputs, and completes operations 8x faster. Leher reduces overuse and unpredictability, while helping farmers lower risks and improve cost efficiency with every acre.
Together, these methods help farmers increase yields, manage costs, and sustain productivity over time.
Impact of Technology on Crop Production and Management
Technology in India is making farming more productive, sustainable, and profitable. Here’s how modern innovations are reshaping the way crops are grown and managed:
Remote Sensing & Drones
High-resolution images from drones and satellites allow farmers to monitor crop health, detect pest outbreaks, and assess water stress early. This helps take timely corrective actions before losses occur.
Example: In Maharashtra's cotton-growing regions, drone-based remote sensing was employed to detect early signs of bollworm infestations. This early detection enabled timely interventions, reducing pesticide use and enhancing crop resilience.
Soil & Weather Sensors
On-field sensors provide real-time soil moisture, pH, temperature, and nutrient data. Weather sensors help predict rainfall or drought conditions, assisting farmers in making better irrigation and input decisions.
Example: SoilSense provides real-time soil moisture data, allowing farmers to make informed irrigation decisions. By monitoring soil moisture levels, farmers can optimise water usage, preventing over- or under-irrigation.
Also Read: New Technology in Agriculture: Top Trends and Benefits - Leher
Farm Management Software
Digital platforms integrate all farm data, sowing dates, input usage, costs, and market prices into one place. Farmers can plan, record, and analyse their entire crop cycle.
Example: Cropin's SmartFarm digitises farm data, enabling farmers to monitor and manage their farms remotely. The platform offers accurate, real-time data, enhancing stakeholder engagement.
Automated Irrigation Systems
These systems, linked to soil sensors or mobile apps, release water only when needed. It ensures water conservation while preventing under- or over-irrigation.
Example: An automatic soil moisture-based surface irrigation system was developed for basin layouts. Wireless communication between soil moisture sensors and control units allowed for real-time monitoring and control of soil moisture, optimising irrigation schedules.
Precision Machinery
Tractors and tools equipped with GPS and Variable Rate Technology (VRT) optimise the application of seeds, fertilisers, and pesticides. This improves efficiency and lowers input costs.
Example: Variable Rate Technology (VRT) uses data-driven tools like sensors, GPS, and maps to optimise the use of seeds, fertilisers, and irrigation. This allows farmers to tailor their approach to each part of their fields, maximising yield and reducing waste.
Mobile Apps for Farmers
Apps now offer real-time mandi rates, weather updates, crop advisories, and disease alerts in local languages, putting valuable insights at the farmer’s fingertips.
Example: FarmRise, powered by Bayer, provides farmers with daily weather updates, including temperature, rainfall, and humidity forecasts. The app also offers real-time mandi prices for markets across India, assisting farmers daily.
Together, these technologies reduce wastage, improve decision-making, and boost farm incomes. The shift toward data-driven agriculture is no longer a luxury; it’s the future of Indian farming.
How Leher Can Help You With Crop Production and Management?
Managing a farm today isn’t just about sowing and harvesting; it’s about making smarter decisions at every step, from crop planning to pest control.
Leher helps farmers take control of their fields with technology-driven services that boost crop production and make managing agricultural produce easier, faster, and more cost-effectively.
Efficient Spraying with Drone: Leher’s Drone-as-a-Service lets farmers spray pesticides and fertilisers precisely, only where needed. This improves crop health, avoids overuse, and reduces costs by up to 40% on inputs. It’s faster, too; drones can spray 50 acres in a single day.
Real-Time Crop Monitoring: Leher tracks crop growth and health across your field. This enables early detection of pest attacks, disease, or nutrient stress, helping farmers act before it’s too late, protecting yield and quality.
Smarter Resource Management: With Leher’s data-backed insights, farmers know exactly how much water, fertiliser, or pesticide to use. This means no guesswork, better planning, and less waste contribute to sustainable and profitable crop production.
App-Based Farm Oversight: Manage your farm from your phone. The Leher app offers a dashboard with crop health updates, service bookings, and payment tracking, giving farmers complete visibility without leaving the field.
Support for Farm Planning & Scheduling: Leher's tech services go beyond spraying. They support planting schedules, irrigation planning, and pest management timelines, all backed by data from your field. This helps maximise yield potential while reducing crop loss.
Access to Drones & Equipment: Need your own drone? Leher offers flexible purchase or leasing plans with full support and training. Whether you’re a smallholder or managing a large farm, you get tools tailored to your needs.
Training & Community Support: Through Leher’s programs, you can learn how to use drone technology, understand agronomic insights, and even join as a drone service provider, opening new income streams and building a future-ready agri-business.
With Leher, crop production becomes more accurate, less risky, and more efficient. The result? Healthier crops, higher yields (up to 20%), lower input costs, and time saved on daily tasks.
Book a free call with our experts, and download the Leher app from the Play Store and Apple Store today.
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