Crop production involves growing and harvesting plants or animals for profit or subsistence. There are several types of crops including food crops, cash crops, plantation crops, and horticulture crops. Basic practices of crop production include preparing the soil, sowing seeds, improving soil fertility through methods like crop rotation and adding fertilizers, irrigating, protecting against pests and diseases, harvesting, and storing the crops. Proper irrigation, soil management, and pest and disease control are important for optimal crop yields.