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The crop diversification approach has been identified as one of the potential agronomic intervention to address many of the present challenges in farming across the globe. Even out of the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), 6–7 SDGs have been identified as having greater involvement of CD to achieve them within set time framework.

Figure 2.4 Diversified agri‐horti system for higher system yield and income.

Table 2.5 Nutritional importance of vegetable crops.

Source: Jogendra et al. 2019.

S.No.	Dietary factors	Source vegetables
1	High energy	Immature seeds of broad bean and peas, lima bean, tapioca, yam, colocasiacorms, potato, brussels sprouts, onion and garlic, sweet potato
2	Proteins	Leguminous vegetable crops such as vegetable peas, beans, garlic, brussels sprouts, cowpea, lima bean seeds, amaranthus leaves, drumstick leaves, and menthe
3	Vitamin A (beta carotene)	Carrot, spinach, turnip green, palak, sarson sag, amaranth, coriander, sweet potato, pumpkin, tomato
4	Vitamin B complex	Peas, broad bean, lima bean, garlic, asparagus, colocasia and tomato
5	Vitamin C	Turnip green, green chilies, brussels sprouts, mustard green, amaranth, coriander, drumstick leaves, cauliflower, KnollKhol Spinach, cabbage, bitter gourd and reddish leaves
6	Calcium	Amaranth, parsley, palak, Chinese cabbage, kale, collard greens, broccoli, spinach
7	Iron	Amaranth, beans, peas, spinach, radish leaves, turnip greens
8	Potassium	Cowpea, peas, sword bean, colocasia, melons, potato, sweet potato, spinach, turnip green, collard greens, peas, beans

In spite of all advantages being offered due to crop diversification, its adoption is poor due to following constraints:

 Over 117.5 mha (63%) of the cropped area in the country is completely dependent on rainfall.

 Both suboptimal and over‐use of resources.

 Inadequate supply of seed and planting material for crop diversification

 Fragmentation of landholdings which discourage modernization and mechanization of agriculture.

 Poor basic infrastructure like rural, roads, power, transport, communication, etc.

 Inadequate postharvest technologies and weak agro‐based industries.

 Weak research‐extension and farmer linkage

 Decreased investment in the agriculture sector over the years.