CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING

PATTERN
1. CROP SELECTION CRITERIA
 Crop selection criteria for irrigation project depends mainly on physical, socio-
economic and development priorities
 The criteria should not be complex to exercise rather need to be simple and
focused to meet the desired project objectives
 Proposed criteria for Irrigable crops selection
Agro-climatic condition: Crops’ adaptability and suitability to a given climate;
Irrigation method: Water availability and quality, crop water demand, crop type, soil
type, socio-economic and institutional capacity;
Need of crop diversification: Crop compatibility and characteristics, cropping pattern,
length of growing period and market demand;
Availability of agricultural inputs: Types of agricultural inputs including high yielding
crop varieties and agro-chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides;
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
 Suitability and role of crops for crop rotation and resistance to crop pests:
Role of the crops for soil fertility enhancement to be proposed for the
scheme, prevalence of crop pests and resistance of crop to crop pests,
nutritional value of crops,
 Accessibility and transportation facilities: Perishability nature of the crop,
labour availability both skilled and unskilled, storage and transportability,
road and transport facilities;
 Capacity of public support services: Capacity of supporting institutions for
effective and efficient delivery of extension services;
 Employment opportunity and farmers’ preference: The crops to be selected
can be crops that require engaging more labour and unskilled labour and
experience of smallholders’ farmers for food, fodder and fiber.
 Nutrition Values: currently nutrition value of crops become important
selection criteria to address the nutrition deficiency and human health
condition
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
 Special considerations
 For hillside irrigation projects criteria like crop appropriateness for
conservation farming is an additional determining factor.
 In areas where agro-processing centers are available and
contractual commitment is secured then “potential for agro-
processing” criterion will dominate in addition to the basic criteria
mentioned above.
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
. Criteria
Surface Hill side Pressurized
irrigation irrigation irrigation

Agro-climate √ √  
Frost resistance (in frost vulnerable areas for drip  
irrigation)
  √
 
Potential for foliage damage due to large droplet
or pressure (no delicate crops)
  √

Length of growing period √ √  

Water demand & quality √    

Objectives of the project √ √ √
Suitability to soil conditions √ √ √
Appropriateness for conservation agriculture (for   √  
alley cropping)
Morphology of the root system   √  
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
. Criteria
Surface Hill side Pressurized
irrigation irrigation irrigation

Compatibility to bed width of proposed soil bund   √  

or bench terrace
Availability of High Yielding Variety √ √ √
High market value √ √ √
Potential for agro-processing and other value √ √  
chain activities
Potential for soil fertility maintenance √ √  

Farmers’ preference √ √ √
Resistance to pest infestation √ √ √
√  
Level of perishability  

Government development policy, strategies and √ √ √

priority
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
Surface Hill side Pressurized
Criteria irrigation irrigation irrigation

       
 .
Water resource availability    
√
Type of Irrigation system √ √  

Nutritional value √    

Skilled labour requirement √    

Employment opportunity √    

 Try to focus on critical factors that could indirectly address

some others less important criteria. .
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
2. CROP SELECTION PROCEDURES
 Step 1: prepare list of crops growing in the project area agro-
ecology (crop basket)

Box 5
The crop basket not necessarily include only the list of crops currently
growing in the project area rather based on the agro-climatic and soil
conditions all possible crops should be incorporated in the crop list. There
could be potential and suitable crops, which are not included in the existing
cropping patterns of the project area however, they need to be considered
in new development intervention.
 Step 2: Screen the above listed crops (from step 1) in terms of
their potential on yield responses to irrigated farming and
market conditions
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
 The number of crops to be screened can be determined by
considering the command area size and/or objectives of the
project;
for example: for command area up to 80 ha about 5 crops;
for the command area 80-140 ha up 8 different crops
for the command area with140-200 ha up to 10 different crops
 Step 3: Establish crop selection criteria
Set the selection criteria for specific project
the number of criteria should be manageable to evaluate the crops
listed in Step 2.
Make sure that the criteria are sufficient enough to select most
appropriate crops for the desired objectives.
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
 Step 4: Weight the selection with criteria value to sum total of 1
 Weighted sum model (WSM) is the best-known and simplest
multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for evaluating a number
of alternatives in terms of a number of decision criteria..
  By weighting the crop selection criteria the agronomist able to
give more weight for criteria that have higher importance for
feasibility of the project.
 The criteria graded closer to one has highest contribution to the
expected achievement
 On the contrary the criteria that have closer to zero has
relatively less important to the objective of the project but
important to integrate in the production system.
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
 For example, criteria like high yielding crop, suitability to soils and agro-climate will
have more weight in crop selection.
 On the contrary, criteria like consumption habit of the community, level of
perishability, and water requirement might have relatively less importance
depending on the advantage of the location, water resource availability and market
oriented nature of most SSI Projects.
 Make sure that their sum total should not be greater than 1
Step 5: Establish a Matrix Table and list the proposed crops a minimum of 8-12
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
Step 6: Evaluate or give grade for each crop from 100% for satisfaction of each
criterion based on the agronomist judgment
Table 5‑2: crop evaluation based on selection criteria

Weighted
Selection criteria
Crop value total

Criteria 1 Criteria 2 Criteria 3 Criteria 4 Criteria 5 Criteria 6+  

 W value 0.3 0.1 0.4 0.05 0.2 0.05 1
Crop1 80 75 90 65 55 75  
Crop 2 75 95 55 65 80 90  
Crop 3 50 45 85 75 65 75  
Crop 4 35 80 55 45 50 60  
Crop 5 65 75 70 50 35 0  
Crop 6 55 75 65 55 45 35  
Crop 7 65 53 45 80 70 55  
Crop 8 80 75 65 85 95 70  
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
Our evaluation result should answer the degree of satisfaction of crop
characteristics to each criterion
Step7: Multiply weighted value of each criteria (recommended in step 4) by
performance evaluation values given for each crop (in step 6) to get weighted
performance value, which going to add upSelection
for eachCriteria
crop horizontally in step 8. Weight
ed Sum
(Step
Crop
8)
Criteria Criteria 2 Criteria 3 Criteria 4 Criteria 5 Criteria 6+  
1
Example  
80*0.3 75*0.1 = 90*0.4 = 65*0.05 =
Calculation 55*0.2 = 11 75*0.05 = 3.7
= 24 7.5 36 3.25
for Crop 1
Crop1 24 7.5 36 3.25 11 3.75 85.5 (1)
Crop 2 22.5 9.5 22 3.25 16 4.5 77.7 (3)
Crop 3 15 4.5 34 3.75 13 3.75 74 (4)
Crop 4 10.5 8 22 2.25 10 3 55.7 (7)
Crop 5 19.5 7.5 28 2.5 7 0 64.5 (5)
Crop 6 16.5 7.5 26 2.75 9 1.75 63.5 (6)
Crop 7 19.5 5.3 18 4 14 2.75 63.5(6)
Crop 8 24 7.5 26 4.25 19 3.5 84.2 (2)
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
Our evaluation result should answer the degree of satisfaction of crop
characteristics to each criterion
Step7: Multiply weighted value of each criteria (recommended in step 4) by
performance evaluation values given for each crop (in step 6) to get weighted
performance value, which going to add up for each crop horizontally in step 8.

Step 8: Add-up the results of Step7 for each crop and prioritize (see Table 5-3)
 The weighted values computed in each line for respective crop need to be
add and write the results in the column, then based on the sum total results
values should be ranked to identify the most responsive crops
Step 9: Select the top crops based on the ranks decision for cropping pattern
development.
In this example the first 5 crops are taken for cropping pattern development
these area [crop 1, crop 8, crop 2, crop 3, and crop 5] those scored 85.5, 84.2,
77.7, 74, and 64.5 respectively.
Step 10: Reanalyze the crop mix in case if very important crop is missed in
selected list then make some adjustment as required.
 CROPS SELECTION CRITERIA AND CROPPING
PATTERN
3. Proposed weighted values of selection criteria for different agro-
ecologies
Table 5‑4: Proposed weighted values of selection criteria for different agro-ecologies
 EXAMPLE AND EXERCISES FOR CP
 Example (for lowland area with 1300 masl, command area 90
ha)
 Step 1: maize, sorghum, soybean, haricot bean, tomato, cabbage, pepper, chick
pea, teff, millet, mung bean, sesame, mango, guava, banana, pineapple, cotton,
tobacco.
 Step 2: Maize, haricot bean, tomato, pepper, sesame, teff,
millet, and banana
 Step 3: Selection criteria considered
Suitable for lowland agro-climate
Suitable for identified soils
Length of growing period
High yielding potential
Farmers’ preference
High value crops
 EXAMPLE AND EXERCISES FOR CP
 Step 4, 5 and 6
Table 5‑5: weighted value for criteria and crop evaluation for satisfaction of
criteria
Agro- Suitable for High yielding High market Farmers’
CROPS LGP
climate identified soils potential value preference
Weighted values 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 1
Maize 80 70 75 80 85 90
haricot bean 80 90 75 75 80 85
Tomato 60 75 65 80 80 60
Pepper 60 50 60 80 75 70
Teff 65 65 65 65 60 30
Banana 80 40 55 70 60 55
Millet 80 70 50 35 50 30
Sesame 75 70 50 35 70 30
 EXAMPLE AND EXERCISES FOR CP
 Step 7, 8 and 9
Table 5‑6: Results of weighted value multiplied by evaluation score
Agro- Suitable for Availability High market Farmers’ Step 9
CROPS LGP Step 8
climate identified soils of HYV value preference Ranking
Maize 16 14 15 8 17 9 79 2
Haricot bean 16 18 15 7.5 16 8.5 81 1
Tomato 12 15 13 8 16 6 70 3
Pepper 12 10 12 8 15 7 64 4
Teff 13 13 13 6.5 12 3 60.5 5
Banana 16 8 11 7 12 5.5 59.5 6
Millet 16 14 10 3.5 10 3 56.5 7
Sesame 15 14 10 3.5 14 3 59.5 6
Note: Step 7 = for maize 0.2 x 80= 16

Step 10: Selected crops for the command area are haricot bean, maize, tomato,
pepper, and teff.
 EXAMPLE AND EXERCISES FOR SELECTION

Background Proposed Crop selection criteria

 Agro-ecology: Midhighland  Suitability to existing agro-climate
 Altitude:
condition:
 Location: Proxy to big city
 Accessibility: easily accessible through all
 High yielding and economic
weather road importance:
 Rainfall pattern: Bi-modal with short Belg rain  Consumption habit of the beneficiaries:
 Topography: flat  Nutrition value:
 Soil type: brown clay soil
 Suitability to command area soils:
 Soil fertility: intensively cultivated poor soil
fertility level  Availability of improved variety:.
 Farming stem: Traditional irrigation  Length of growing period: S
 Existing crops grown: rainfed: wheat, teff,  Market demand:
haricot bean, potato
 Farmers’ experience and preference:
 Traditional irrigation: potato, cabbage
tomato, onion, leek  Crop potential for Soil fertility
management:
 CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT
1. General
 Cropping pattern designing is the second important element to be conducted
after the crop selection is finalized.
 Effective crop selection should be substantiated with appropriate cropping
pattern proposal to optimize the resources and achieving optimum farm return
and other objectives
 The cropping pattern should be developed for dry season and wet season
 The agronomist has to apply his professional knowledge and judgment based on
the existing and future potential of the project area to determine the
percentage or land to be allocated for each crop
2. FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED FOR DEVELOPING CROPPING
PATTERN
 Availability of competent irrigated agriculture projects
 Considering the cropping patterns and plans of the competent projects
is essential to establish reliable cropping pattern for other project.
Relatively less land size should be allotted for these crops
 CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT
 Farming system (mainly for agro-pastoral): in areas where the
demand for forage resource is higher
 Vulnerable to pest infestation: the probability of recurrence of
diseases or insect pests in the project area is one of the
determining factor for allocating lands for given crops
 Profit margin range: Most likely, the crops with relatively high
profit margin should have larger land size in the cropping
pattern that secure the profitability of the project.
In some special cases, if the crop is selected for food security or
environmental rehabilitation objectives, then the profit margin will
not be compromised.
 Reliable outsourcing arrangement: the contractual agreement
signed by SSIP implementers should be fulfilled y allocated the
require size of land for particular crop
 CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT
Figure 5‑1: Procedures to be followed for establishing appropriate cropping patterns
 CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT
PROPOSED CROPPING PATTERNS FOR DIFFERENT AGRO-
ECOLOGIES
 The crops those adopted for given agro-ecologies area used as
a menu to develop suitable cropping patterns.
Wet
Table 2-1: Cropping season example for highland areasDry Season
pattern
S/n Area Sowing Harvesting Area Sowing Harvesting
Crops Crops
ha % date date ha % date date
1 Barley 15 37.5 5-Jun 10-Oct Potato 14 35 Dec. 1-15 Mar. 1-15
2 Wheat 10 25 5-Jul 17-Nov Garlic 12 30 Dec. 1-15 Mar. 1-5
3 Cabbage 10 25 12-Jul 30-Oct Cabbage 8 20 Nov. 25-30 Mar. 25-30
4 Faba Bean 5 12.5 15-Jun 23-Oct Carrot 6 15 Nov 25-30 Mar. 15-20
Total 40 100 40 100
 CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT
PROPOSED CROPPING PATTERNS FOR DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGIES
Table 2-2: Cropping pattern example for Mid-highland areas
Wet season Dry Season
S/n Area Sowing Harvesting Area Sowing Harvesting
Crops Crops
(ha) (%) date date (ha) (%) date date
1 Maize 15 50 15-May 27-Sep Tomato 9 30 10-Jan 10-May
2 Tef 6 20 10-Jul 8-Oct Onion 6 20 1-Jan 1-Apr
3 Haricot bean 1.5 5 10-Jun 9-Sep Cabbage 3 10 1-Feb 5-May
4 Soybean 1.5 5 15-Jun 19-Sep Maize 12 40 20-Dec 19-Apr
5 Pepper 6 20 15-Jul 13-Oct
Total 30 100 30 100

All development scenarios can be considered for development of appropriate

cropping patterns for mid highlands.
The agronomist can recommend cash crops for both seasons and the export
oriented scenario can also be proposed, or seed production can be
alternative scenario in which the agronomist should select crop to fit the
ultimate goals of these development scenarios (Refer appendix ).
 CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT
PROPOSED CROPPING PATTERNS FOR DIFFERENT AGRO-
ECOLOGIES
Cropping Wet season Dry season
Crop pattern Example-1 for lowland agro-ecology
Area Area Sowing Harvesting Area Area Sowing Harvesting
type Crop type
(%) (ha) date date (%) (ha) date date
Maize 80 162 25-May 22-Oct Maize 45 91 25-Nov 13-Apr
Banana Banana 7 14 20-Jun
Haricot Haricot
13 26 15-Jun 17-Sep 30 61
bean bean
Onion 10 20 10-Nov 9-Mar
Tomato 8 16 15-Nov 4-Feb
Total 93 188 100 202

Cropping patterns for lowland areas with a potential of three round cultivation
 In designing three round cropping patterns where the agro-climate allows the
agronomist should be aware about the schedules not to be overlapped and the sum
total percentage should not be > 200% in any of the cropping period
 CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT
PROPOSED CROPPING PATTERNS FOR DIFFERENT AGRO-ECOLOGIES
 To check the patterns, draw a graph where all crops’ planting and harvesting dates are indicated, then
add the percentages vertically in busy months (October in Fig below) with large cropping intensity

Potato J3 Oct 1 18%

Onion Oct 5 36%
Tomato J 18 Oct 10 26%
Maize Feb 1 24.5% F-31
Pepper Feb 1 16.1 F-21
Haricot bean June 20 11.6% Oct 18
Sesame June 25 25.8% Oct 23
sweet potato June 13 3.2% Oct 20
Banana April 15 20.6%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
 In this cropping pattern, the cropping intensity is 141.3% in October, which is less than 200%
and the agronomist is safe to continue for further analysis.
Note: Example for 3-round cropping from Dimtu SSIP located in Jimma zone of Oromiya
region with an altitude of 1253 masl
 Harvesting
Crop Area, ha Area, % Planting date LGP
CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT date
1st Round Irrigation cropping pattern
PROPOSED
Potato CROPPING
5.6 PATTERNS
18.1 FOR
1-OctDIFFERENT AGRO-
31-Dec 95
Onion 11 35.5 5-Oct 23-Feb 130
ECOLOGIES
Tomato 8 25.8 10-Oct 18-Jan 110
Banana 6.5 20.6 15-Apr 365
Total 31.7 100
2nd round Irrigation cropping pattern
Maize 7.8 24.5 1-Feb 31-May 120
Pepper 5.1 16.1 1-Feb 21-May 110
Banana - -
Total 12.9 40.6
Supplementary Irrigation cropping pattern
Maize Cobs 12.3 38.7 15-Mar 8-Aug 120
Haricot 3.7 11.6 20-Jun 18-Oct 120
Sesame 8.2 25.8 25-Jun 23-Oct 120
Sweet 1 3.2 13-Jun 20-Sep 95
potato
Banana - -      
 Total 24.6 79.4
 CROPPING PATTERN ESTABLISHMENT
3. CROPPING PATTERNS FOR HILLSIDE IRRIGATION
 The cropping pattern should consider soil depth condition, human skill in land
management, and crop type with shallow root system.
 If the soil depth is shallow to moderate depth then crop with shallow root
morphology should be proposed and included in the cropping patterns where
vegetables and forage grasses could be good candidate for this condition like onions,
cabbage, coach grass, elephant grass
 If the soil depth is deep it can accommodate deep rooted perennial fruit crops
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