ABSTRACT
The western world, where most advanced scientific techniques were developed, paid little attention to research on multiple cropping systems, rather the focus was on monocultures. Similarly, cropping systems research in the tropics was concentrated on monocultures grown under relatively high levels of technology. The objective of cropping systems research is to improve the use of a given quality and quantity of physical resources by increasing the efficiency of their utilization in crop production. Concurrently, the farmer's environment should be understood. The prevailing cropping systems should be described in a detailed and quantitative manner. This work can best be carried out by a multidisciplinary team of social scientists, extension specialists and agriculturalists. Many components of the support system can be described in quantitative terms. Mixed cropping systems are the most intimate multiple cropping systems, and interference between crops is greatest.
