Intensification / Disintensification

Intensification of agricultural land use aims at raising crop yields per unit area and per unit time, in other words to increase productivity. To achieve this goal, usually the inputs, labour or capital (in terms of fertilizers, pesticides, energy, or technology) are increased. To raise crop yields, a broad range of methods is being applied, often in combinations, including breeding, irrigation, organic and inorganic fertilization, green manure and cover crops, pest and weed management, multi-cropping, crop rotation and the reduction of fallow periods.