Paira Cropping System

Published on 22 Mar 2025

• The Paira cropping system, a traditional agricultural practice in Eastern India, particularly in states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha, has diminished in importance due to climate change.

• Also known as Utera cropping, it involves sowing a second crop into a standing rice crop about two weeks before harvesting the rice.

• Typically, pulses like lentils, urdbean, mungbean, field pea, mustard, or sesame are sown as the second crop.

• This method is cost-effective as it eliminates the need for additional activities like tilling, weeding, irrigation, or fertiliser application after sowing the second crop.

Keywords:

Food security Paira Cropping System Agriculture Indian agriculture cropping system Utera cropping Sustainable agriculture Conventional agriculture Cropping pattern