Cropping System Diversification: Water Consumption Against Crop Production

This research reports on two pepper species cultivated in a pilot plot and protected under white shade nets during the 2014, 2015 and 2016 growing seasons. The goal of the study was to compare crop yield, water productivity, and economic productivity between sorghum and corn as extensive crops (ECs), and habanero peppers and bell peppers as intensive crops (ICs). The average values of crop yield, water productivity, and economic productivity were 4.8 Mg (Tons) ha−1, 1.1 kg m−3, and 722.00 USD ha−1 for sorghum; and 7.0 Mg ha−1, 1.2 kg m−3, and 1390.00 USD ha−1 for corn. Average values of 45.0 Mg ha−1, 7.3 kg m−3, and 85,900.00 USD ha−1; and 72.5 Mg ha−1, 10.4 kg m−3, and 66,390.00 USD ha−1 were obtained for habanero peppers and bell peppers, respectively—both were cultivated during 2014, 2015 and 2016. According to the climate conditions of this region, crop water requirements for pepper crops are 41.66% higher than for grain crops; nevertheless, the on-farm water application efficiencies are 92% and 58% respectively. Consequently, 11.97% more water is used for ICs than for ECs. The economic profitability for farmers was 72 times higher for intensive crops than for extensive crops.