The Hindu Business Line : `Intercropping spices with coconut increases yield'

COCONUT growers could reduce their cost of production and increase productivity and net return if compatible subsidiary crops were raised in their gardens.

The crops ideal for this are spices such as black pepper, cardamom, vanilla, ginger, and tree spices such as nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, allspice and garcinia.

Black pepper is an ideal mixed crop in the third phase of growth of coconut palm, i.e., 20-25 years onwards. The average net profit per hectare for four years was Rs 39,398, where the mono-crop of coconut gave a net profit of Rs 30,475, according to senior scientists at the Kerala Agriculture University.

Another study on mixed cropping of black pepper in coconut in Pollachi tract of Tamil Nadu reported that varieties Panniyur 1,2 and 5 established well as mixed crops.

Cardamom was also found a suitable intercrop in coconut plantations in high ranges 500 m above MSL.Since the introduction of cardamom, coconut yield increased. Cardamom yield was 525 kg/ha.

Being a shade-loving crop, vanilla could also be successfully introduced as an intercropping component in coconut plantations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, they said. Besides, annual spice crops such as ginger and turmeric are also suitable for coconut intercropping .

More Stories on : Spices & Condiments | Coconut & Copra | Cultivation

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