Across India, decades of chemical-intensive farming, soil erosion, and monocropping have taken a serious toll on agricultural land. But nature has a solution — cover crops. Once sidelined, they are now being recognised for their powerful role in regenerating soil, reducing input costs, and building climate resilience.

So, what are cover crops?

Cover crops are plants grown not for sale, but to improve the soil. They cover the land during off-seasons or between crop cycles, helping retain moisture, suppress weeds, and replenish nutrients. For Indian farmers facing erratic monsoons and shrinking margins, cover cropping is a sustainable and smart strategy.

Why cover crops matter in Indian farming?

Cover crops provide multiple benefits:

• Fix nitrogen naturally, reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers

• Prevent erosion during heavy rains

• Improve water retention and reduce runoff

• Suppress weeds and soil-borne pests

• Add organic matter and support soil microbes

• By turning the land green even in the off-season, cover crops help

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