DOCSLIB.ORG

Designing Intercropping in Organic Vegetables, Scope for Improvements

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Designing Intercropping in Organic Vegetables, Scope for Improvements ISARA-Lyon Wageningen University Agrapole 6708 PB Wageningen, 23 rue Jean Baldassini The Netherlands 69364 LYON CEDEX 07 France DESIGNING INTERCROPPING IN VEGETABLES, SCOPE FOR IMPROVEMENTS A case study implemented at Bec Hellouin Farm, Normandy, France Master Thesis Organic Agriculture & Agroecology Alexis DE LIEDEKERKE DE PAILHE 2012-2014 Date: 17/09/2014 External tutor 1: ing. C Guegan, ISARA tutor: dr. ing. Florian Célette Ferme du Bec Hellouin Wageningen tutor: dr. ing. JMS Scholberg External tutor 2: dr. ing. F Léger, AgroParisTech, UMR-SADAPT This document was written by an ISARA student in the framework of a convention with SYLVA institute. For all citing, communication or distribution related to this document, ISARA has to be mentioned. AKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Master Thesis has not only been a period during which I have learnt umpteen practical and theoretical aspects of small scale, organic and ‘ecological’ market gardening, it has also been a rich life-experience through which I have evolved. What happened in Normandy clearly went over all my initial expectations. For that, my gratefulness goes to Life, its delightful mysteries, its unquestionable forces, the precious moments it offers, and its magic touch. But here I would like to especially express my gratitude to some human fellows who cordially, in a way or another, have been part of this great journey. To start with, I would like to thank those who made this experience possible. I am grateful to my supervisors at universities who let me come up with my own Thesis topic: A. Wezel, F. Célette and J. Scholberg. Thanks also to them for their advises and availability. Then, of course, I am really grateful to those who trusted me and welcomed me on-board at Bec Hellouin Farm: F. Léger, C. and P. Hervé - Gruyer. I hope I have delivered you something. Secondly, I am thankful for those who surrounded me during this period and made my time in Normandy so pleasant and captivating. Thanks to the community of Benedictine monks and especially to Frère Jean-Marie for hosting me during the first weeks of my stay in the Bec Hellouin valley. Living in the abbey was an unique experience. I would like to give a very special dedication to my two close friends, Teddy and Justin, with whom I had so many great discussions and good laughs. You guys simply rock! It was a blast living with you. Talking about my housemates, extra thanks to Mr. & Mme Amelot and to our friends from the ‘Crêpe dans le Bec’ for the comfort they provided us. Then, I would like to say that it was great to be part of the cheerful and welcoming team of the Farm. Thanks Thomas, Isabelle, Samuel, Guilhem, Elise, Pascal, Jean-Claude, Jean-Pierre, Edith, Fabien, Sacha, Justin, Teddy, Charles and Perrine. Thank you all for the nice vibes and ideals that drive you in life. It was a pleasure seeing you every day. I wish you all good luck and beg you to take care of next trainees just as good as you did with me. Thanks also to my Belgian friends and family who were not afraid of crossing the French border to come and say hello: Dorian, Papou, Marguerite, Cerise, La Malice, Starck, Matthieu, Beuch, Florian, Midou, Hadrien, Maud, Amélie, Yves, Sophie and Mimi. Thanks also to Carlo for your stay and to Fruzsi for your time. I love you all. A special “thank you” to Charles and Perrine not only for their kindness and generosity but also for what they are doing for society and for the inspiration that I had from their very special adventure. Also, Perrine, thanks for the very interesting expedition in London. Of course, I am grateful for those who permitted me to build this Thesis as good as I could along Spring season 2014. Thanks to the Bec Hellouin Farm team for answering my questions, letting me work by their side and explaining me the way they act. Thanks also for not taking out my posts out of the ground! Then, thanks to all interviewees for their time: D. De La Porte, M. Philibert, B. Moreau, S. Massoni, G., S. Barcq, M. Suire, S. Vallet, J. Scholberg, F. Célette, D. Pépin and J.P. Thorez. Big thank to the latter for all the documents kindly loaned. Finally, I am grateful to those who supported me during the writing of this Thesis. Thanks to my grand- mother, my parents and the rest of the family for their hospitality and to Monique, Janine and Nadine for their care. Thanks to my friends who came along to write this summer: Florian, Matthias, Céline, Raphaëlle and Lucia. It was great to support each other when our eyes got squared from too much computer. Last but not least, I would like to thank Sebastian, Méline, Carlo, Hadrien and Matthias for their aid in the final writing phase. I feel lucky to be in a place with so many big-hearted people! CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1 2. INTERCROPPING, ITS HISTORY, BENEFITS AND COMPLEXITY................................................ 3 2.1. History of intercropping ................................................................................................................. 3 2.1.1. An ancient practice ................................................................................................................ 3 2.1.2. Decrease in IC with modernization of agriculture ................................................................... 3 2.1.3. Resurgence of IC in western agriculture ................................................................................. 4 2.1.4. Today .................................................................................................................................... 4 2.2. Benefits provided by IC, a theoretical approach ............................................................................. 5 2.2.1. Complementarity CCs to reduce the competition .................................................................... 5 2.2.2. Mutualistic crops to increase facilitation................................................................................. 7 2.2.3. Socio-economic benefits ........................................................................................................ 9 2.2.4. A symbolic representation ...................................................................................................... 9 2.3. IC is a complex topic ................................................................................................................... 11 3. INTERCROPPING AT BEC HELLOUIN FARM:......................................................................... 12 3.1. Overview of BHF ........................................................................................................................ 12 3.1.1. Diversity of functions and people. ........................................................................................ 12 3.1.2. Agro - Bio – Diversity ......................................................................................................... 13 3.2. The farming system .................................................................................................................... 14 3.2.1. Natural characteristics .......................................................................................................... 14 3.2.2. Agricultural practices ........................................................................................................... 16 3.3. Reasons for IC at BHF ................................................................................................................. 18 3.4. Design method ............................................................................................................................ 18 3.5. Examples of Intercrops ................................................................................................................ 19 4. AIM OF THE THESIS ..................................................................................................................... 20 5. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................................ 21 5.1. Phase I: monitoring and understanding the farm ........................................................................... 22 5.1.1. Field monitoring .................................................................................................................. 22 5.1.2. Learning about BHFS .......................................................................................................... 24 5.2. Phase II: Research: Gathering experts’ advices ............................................................................ 24 5.2.1. Interviews ............................................................................................................................ 24 5.2.2. Literature reviewing ............................................................................................................. 26 5.3. Phase III: Analysing intercropping systems at BHF ...................................................................... 26 5.3.1. Selecting advises of primary importance .............................................................................. 27 5.3.2. Developing an analysis tool: IC Guideline ............................................................................ 29 5.3.3. Crossing the information: applying the analysis tool ............................................................. 29 6. EXPERTS’ ADVICES .....................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Efficacy of Intercropping Pattern in Reducing Weeds Infestation in Okra, Maize and Pepper Intercrop
    International Journal of Weed Science and Technology ISSN 4825-3499 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 063-069, January, 2018. Available online at www.advancedscholarsjournals.org © Advanced Scholars Journals Full Length Research Paper Efficacy of intercropping pattern in reducing weeds infestation in okra, maize and pepper intercrop *Ubini C. Thomas, Jaymiwhie Obanna and Ikogho B. Patrick Department of Crop and Soil Science, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B 5323 Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Accepted 15 January, 2018 Field study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of intercropping pattern in reducing weed infestation in okra, maize and pepper intercrop; at the teaching and research farm of Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt, Nigeria during 2009 and 2010 cropping season. Three intercropping pattern namely; alternate row intercropping, strip row intercropping and mixed intercropping were compared to sole cropping in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. The result reveal that weed biomass were significantly lower in both years in all forms of intercropping pattern compared to sole cropping or mono-cropping. Weed smothering efficiency in both years showed that mixed pattern (45.7%) >alternate row pattern (33.4%) > strip row pattern (11.5%). Crop yield were better in an intercrop system for maize and pepper in both years compared to -1 sole crop. However, mean okra fruit yield was highest in sole cropping (3253 kg ha ) when compared -1 to intercropping pattern. Maize yield was highest in mixed pattern (8,987 kg ha ) and lowest in sole -1 -1 cropping (6,955 kg ha ) while pepper fruit yield was highest in strip row pattern (5,435 kg ha ) and -1 lowest in mixed pattern (1,562 kg ha ).
    [Show full text]
  • Land Tenure Insecurity Constrains Cropping System Investment in the Jordan Valley of the West Bank
    sustainability Article Land Tenure Insecurity Constrains Cropping System Investment in the Jordan Valley of the West Bank Mark E. Caulfield 1,2,* , James Hammond 2 , Steven J. Fonte 1 and Mark van Wijk 2 1 Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1170, USA; [email protected] 2 International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Livestock Systems and the Environment, Nairobi 00100, Kenya; [email protected] (J.H.); [email protected] (M.v.W.) * Correspondence: markcaulfi[email protected]; Tel.: +212-(0)-6-39-59-89-18 Received: 17 July 2020; Accepted: 8 August 2020; Published: 13 August 2020 Abstract: The annual income of small-scale farmers in the Jordan Valley, West Bank, Palestine remains persistently low compared to other sectors. The objective of this study was therefore to explore some of the main barriers to reducing poverty and increasing farm income in the region. A “Rural Household Multi-Indicator Survey” (RHoMIS) was conducted with 248 farmers in the three governorates of the Jordan Valley. The results of the survey were verified in a series of stakeholder interviews and participatory workshops where farmers and stakeholders provided detailed insight with regard to the relationships between land tenure status, farm management, and poverty. The analyses of the data revealed that differences in cropping system were significantly associated with land tenure status, such that rented land displayed a greater proportion of open field cropping, while owned land and sharecropping tenure status displayed greater proportions of production systems that require greater initial investment (i.e., perennial and greenhouse).
    [Show full text]
  • Research and Education for the Development of Integrated Crop-Livestock-Fishfarming Systems in the Tropics DEC 2 1
    S'H ICLARM STUDIESAND REVIEWS16 I. 207 I SR76 #.16 C.t 1 Research and Education for the Development of , r Integrated Crop-livestock-Fish Farming t \ Systems in the Tropics P. Edwards R.S.V. Pullin J.A. Gartner I If - I:' '!Io, .. .... \D ',- .'. , r . ~ _frl~TERNATIONAL C~NTER FOR LIVING AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAG.EMENT , " i ' :1 i I .I earch and Education for the Development of Integrated Crop-Livestock-Fish Farming Systems in the Tropics J.A. Gartner INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR LIVING AQUATIC RESOURCES MANAGEMENT MANILA, PHILIPPINES Research and education for the development of integrated crop-livestock-fishfarming systems in the tropics DEC 2 1 P. EDWARDS R.S.V. hum J. A. GARTNER Published by the International Center for Living Aauatic Reswrces Mana~ement.MC P.O. Box 1501. ~hcati,Metm Manila, Pklippiis with fmancid assistance from the United Nations Development Programme New York. USA Printed in Manila. Philippines Edwards. P.. R.S.V. Pullin and J.A. Gamer. 1988. Research and education for the development of integrated cmp-livestock-fish farming systems in the tropics. ICLARM Studies and Reviews 16.53 p. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management, Manila, Philippines. ISSN 01 15-4389 ISBN 97 1-1022-46-X Cover: Small-scale integrated crop-livestock-fish farming in a rainfed area of Northeast ?hailand. ?his ria farm has a small fishpond that provides fish. pennits dry season cultivation of vegetables on rhe dikes and suppliis drinking water for livestock. ICLARM Contribution No. 470 Contents Preface ................................................. Introduction .............................................. The Concept of Integrated Farming Systems A Definition of Integrated Farming ...........................
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Development: Intercropping for Agricultural Production
    Session 3551 Sustainable Development: Intercropping for Agricultural Production Saeed D. Foroudastan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Olivia Dees, Research Assistant Engineering Technology and Industrial Studies Department Middle Tennessee State University Abstract The damaging effects of monoculture threaten the sustainability of our world. Genetic engineering, or biotechnology, gravely endangers the future integrity of genes with possible unforeseen mutations. For example, Monsanto has created a terminator technology that will not allow farmers to reproduce their own plants from secondary seeds. This minimizes the diversity of plant crop varieties by which farmers have relied upon for centuries. Biotechnology may thereby cause irreparable damage to the sustainability of the world’s food supply. Although all biotechnology is not wrongful, most genetically engineered crops are potentially so dangerous that even insurance companies will not cover farmers that use them. Furthermore, the introduction of patent clone seeds will undermine the ability of rural farmers to compete for survival by raising prices on conventional seeds. This corners decision making into acceptance of the same crop cultivation. Environmental effects are devastating as more pesticides and herbicides are used for these plants, and resistant pests may abound. In addition, exponential population growth in cities presents the problem of land availability. The trick is to make the maximum use of space while balancing the environment. The beauty of intercropping is that many types exist so that specialization for different climates and terrain may be applied to a particular region. Research shows successful results with intercropping. Organic farmers often have superior net cash returns, making it a feasible option for mass production.
    [Show full text]
  • INTERCROPPING Proceedings of the Second Symposium on Intercropping in Semi-Arid Areas, Held at Morogoro, Tanzania, 4-7 August 1980 INTERCROPPING
    IDRC-186e INTERCROPPING Proceedings of the Second Symposium on Intercropping in Semi-Arid Areas, held at Morogoro, Tanzania, 4-7 August 1980 INTERCROPPING Proceedings of the Second Symposium on Intercropping in Semi-Arid Areas, held at Morogoro, Tanzania, 4-7 August 1980 Editors: C.L. Keswani and B.J. Ndunguru University of Dar es Salaam Tanzania National Scientific Research Council International Development Research Centre The International Development Research Centre is a public corporation created by the Parliament of Canada in 1970 to support research designed to adapt science and technology to the needs of developing countries. The Centre's activity is concentrated in five sectors: agriculture, food and nutrition sciences; health sciences; information sciences; social sciences; and com- munications. IDRC is financed solely by the Parliament of Canada; its policies, however, are set by an international Board of Governors. The Centre's headquarters are in Ottawa, Canada. Regional offices are located in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. ©1982 International Development Research Centre Postal Address: Box 8500, Ottawa, Canada K1G 3H9 Head Office: 60 Queen Street, Ottawa Keswani, C.L. Ndunguru, B.J. University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam TZ Tanzania National Scientific Research Council, Dar es Salaam TZ International Development Research Centre, Ottawa CA IDRC-186e Intercropping : proceedings of the Second Symposium on Intercropping in Semi-Arid Areas, held at Morogoro, Tanzania, 4-7 August, 1980. Ottawa, Ont., IDRC, 1982. 168 p. : ill. /Intercropping/, /semi-arid zone/-/agricultural research/, /Africa/, /culti- vation practices/, /plant breeding/, /plant protection/, /crop yield/, /research results/, /research methods/. UDC: 631.584(213) ISBN: 0-88936-318-8 Microfiche edition available Contents Foreword R.
    [Show full text]
  • A Substantial Component in Sustainable Organic Agriculture
    Udhaya Nandhini and SomasundaramAvailable Ind. online J. Pure at App.www.ijpab.com Biosci. (2020 ) 8(2), 133-143 ISSN: 2582 – 2845 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8007 ISSN: 2582 – 2845 Ind. J. Pure App. Biosci. (2020) 8(2), 133-143 Review Article Intercropping – A Substantial Component in Sustainable Organic Agriculture D. Udhaya Nandhini1* and E. Somasundaram2 1Post Doctoral Fellow, Centre of Excellence in sustaining Soil Health, Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College & Research Institute, Trichy-620 027 Tamil Nadu 2Professor and Head, Department of Sustainable Organic Agriculture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected] Received: 3.03.2020 | Revised: 7.04.2020 | Accepted: 11.04.2020 ABSTRACT st The greatest challenge of the 21 century in many developing countries are to produce more and more basic necessities namely food, fodder, fuel and fibre for ever increasing human and animal population from the limited available land. The availability of land for agriculture is shrinking every day as it is increasingly utilized for non-agricultural purposes. Under this situation, one of the important strategies to increase agricultural output is development of high intensity cropping systems including intercropping system which involves biotic and abiotic stress resistant, soil building, protein rich and oil producing crops. Intercropping is a ways to increase diversity in an agricultural ecosystem. This review summarizes the most important aspects of intercropping system in organic agriculture. Keywords: Intercropping, Stress resistant, Agricultural ecosystem, Diversity INTRODUCTION agricultural systems following objectives such Sustainable agriculture is a type of agriculture as: ecological balance, more utilization of that is more efficient in use of resources, for resources, increasing the quantity and quality the benefit of human, and is in balance with and reduce yield damage to pests, diseases and the environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic
    The Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic Stefan Sobkowiak answers questions from people like you Compiled by Hugo Deslippe Formatted by James Samuel 1 Table Of Contents Introduction 3 Tree Care 4 Types Of Trees 13 Other Plants 22 Ground Cover 24 The Soil 26 Pests and other critters 30 Animals and friendly insects 32 Orchard Patterning 34 Permaculture concepts 35 Starting an orchard 37 Business questions 45 About Stefan and the Farm 51 Profiles 59 2 Introduction In June 2014, Stefan Sobkowiak and Olivier Asselin released an incredible movie called The Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic. Subsequently, Stefan was asked many questions about permaculture, orchards, fruit trees, etc. I decided to compile the questions about the permaculture orchard and the answers here. Most of the questions are taken from the following sources: The permies.com forum, in the growies / forest garden section. Les Fermes Miracle Farms Facebook page The Permaculture Orchard: Beyond Organic’s forum section Lastly, I want to specify that I claim no authorship or any credits at all for what follows, it’s all from elsewhere and only 2 or 3 of the questions are actually mine. If you have any questions for Stefan, especially after watching the movie: The Permaculture Orchard, Beyond Organic, please post them on the movie’s website forum. This is a long thread so to find what you are looking for, you might want to do CTRL F and type the term you want in the search box. It should work in your PDF reader too. Stefan answers multiples questions everyday so not all his answers are included.
    [Show full text]
  • Women's Agricultural Knowledge and Its Effects on Soil Nutrient Content In
    Women’s agricultural knowledge and its effects on soil nutrient content in the Nyalenda urban gardens of Kisumu, Kenya Nicolette Tamara R.J.M. Jonkman1, Esmee D. Kooijman1, Boris Jansen1, Nicky R.M. Pouw2, Karsten Kalbitz3 5 1 Ecosystem and Landscape Dynamics group, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1090 GE, the Netherlands 2 Governance and Inclusive Development Programme Group, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1018 WS, The Netherlands 10 3 Soil Resources and Land Use group, Institute of Soil Science and Site Ecology, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, 01062, Germany Correspondence to: Nicolette Tamara Jonkman ([email protected]) Acknowledgements We would like to sincerely thank all those who aided us in the preparation and execution of this research project. Amoung 15 which: the Kisumu VIRED team, including professor JB Okeyo-Owour and Dan Abuto, and the CABE team in Nairobi, including Dr. Hannington Odame. Abstract. In Kisumu up to 60% of the inhabitants practice some form of urban agriculture, with just under 50% of the workers being female. On average, women spend more hours a day in the gardens than men. To increase yields, women’s 20 knowledge has to be considered in agricultural management. However, women face greater obstacles in land ownership, investment, and farm inputs due to social and cultural constraints as consequence of their gender. This case study aimed to determine what agricultural knowledge the women farmers there hold, where they get their knowledge, what motivates them in their choice of agricultural management and finally how their choices influence the soils nutrient content.
    [Show full text]
  • Permaculture – Food Garden to Maximize Research Multiple Vegetable Yield – a Farmer Success Story
    Success Story Journal Home: www.bioticainternational.com Article: RT0402 Biotica How to cite this article? Bharathi, Permaculture – Food Garden to Maximize Research Multiple Vegetable Yield – A Farmer Success Story. Today [Biotica Research Today 2(11): 1137-1139. [ 1137 Abstract Vol 2:11 egetable cultivation is considered to be a high returned 1139 agri-business. The present case was documented for a 2020 VPermaculture technique adopted by a farmer under the technical guidance of KVK, Namakkal at Palapatti village of Namakkal Permaculture – Food District, Tamil Nadu, India. The observations revealed that sale of multi vegetables at a time and get a gross income of Rs. 1,500.00 Garden to Maximize per day than sole vegetable (Rs. 300.00 – 500.00). The permaculture farmer considers that there is a need to diversify the mono cropping Multiple Vegetable Yield – to multiple cropping in a piece of land for secure and sustainable A Farmer Success Story future. Background Information Sharmila Bharathi C. hri K. K. Velusamy is doing agriculture since 2007 and ICAR - Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Veterinary College and practiced vegetable cultivation in conventional pattern. Research Institute Campus, TANUVAS, Namakkal, Tamil He cultivated each type of vegetable in a single field as Nadu (637 002), India S a monoculture in an area of 50 cent to 1 acre. He observed that the plants of the similar species compete for the same nutrients and become an attractive habitat for pests of that plant and in turn poor yield and return. He also noticed soil Open Access nutrient depletion in that cultivation system. Apart from these, he faced poor returns due to market fluctuation and huge Corresponding Author arrival of the same type of vegetable at that time (Rs.
    [Show full text]
  • Pork Production System and Its Development in Mainland China
    International Journal of Fisheries and Aquaculture Vol. 3(5), pp. 166-174, May 2011 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/IJFA ISSN 2006-9839 ©2011 Academic Journals Review Pork production system and its development in mainland China Heng-wei Cheng 1*, You-ming Wang 2, Qing-ping Meng 2, Jia Guo 2 and Yi-zheng Wang 2 1Livestock Behavior Research Unit, USDA-ARS, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA. 2Institute of Feed Science, Key Laboratory of Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310029, P. R. China. Accepted 11 April, 2011 Livestock production and marketing have been driven by the growing consumer demand for high quality and low cost animal protein. As a result, intensive livestock industries have been rapidly developing globally. International trade, especially with China, creates new opportunities and challenges for the emerging international agriculture market. China provides an enormous market for international trade by stimulating its import and export activities. Pigs are the primary farm animals raised for human consumption in China, and the development of pork production systems in China will affect its trade globally. To meet the need for developing international animal agriculture and trade, this article describes the current status of the swine industry, its production in China and the factors that may affect its development. Urbanization, available farmland, grain production, water resources and management practices encompass some of these factors. In addition, the effects of the culture, religion and education of the populations on the development of swine sector in China are also discussed. Understanding the development of the swine production system and its associated factors is critical to assessing China’s impact and implication in the emerging international agricultural market.
    [Show full text]
  • A Critical Reading of Permaculture Literature
    Master thesis in Sustainable Development 2018/14 Examensarbete i Hållbar utveckling The quest for sustainability – a critical reading of permaculture literature ‘ Tove Janzon DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES INSTITUTIONEN FÖR GEOVETENSKAPER Master thesis in Sustainable Development 2018/14 Examensarbete i Hållbar utveckling The quest for sustainability – a critical reading of permaculture literature Tove Janzon Supervisor: Frans Lenglet Evaluator: Petra Hansson Copyright © Tove Janzon and the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University Published at Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University (www.geo.uu.se), Uppsala, 2018 Content 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Background ........................................................................................................................................ 1 2.1 The sustainable development concept ........................................................................................... 1 2.1.1 History .................................................................................................................................... 1 2.1.2 Definitions .............................................................................................................................. 2 2.2 The permaculture concept ............................................................................................................. 2 2.2.1 History ...................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • F/F+Z Ps Afnlsf] T'ngfdf Ax'afnl / Ldl>T Afnl W]/} Pkof]Ul Epsf] Oyfy{ Cg';Gwfgaf6 L;4 Epsf] 5
    Journal of Nepal Agricultural Research Council Multiple Cropping as a Means to Raise Productivity by Mina Nath Paudel ISSN: 2392-4535 (Print), 2392-4543 (Online) Vol. 2:37-45, December 2016 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnarc.v2i0.16120 Multiple Cropping for Raising Productivity and Farm Income of Small Farmers Mina Nath Paudel National Agriculture Genetic Resources Center, Khumaltar, Kathmandu Correspondence: [email protected] Received September 2015, Revised August 2016; Accepted November 2016 Scientific Editors: Madav Joshi, Tek B. Gurung, Ananda P. Gautam Copyright © 2016 NARC. Permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited ABSTRACT Multiple cropping is an agriculture system long adopted by marginalized small holder farmers especially in hills and mountains. This practice was a meant to enhance farm productivity when farming area is limited. Here, in this paper, a brief review on the benefits of multiple cropping is presented focusing on the practices adopted by marginalized farmers, in general. In multiple cropping, it is generally argued that the practice favors an efficient utilization of resources like air, water, light, space, and nutrients by companion crops in both temporal and spatial dimensions due to their differential growth habits and seasonality. Multiple cropping could be one of the viable alternatives to cope uncertainties and changes, where food and nutritional uncertainty looming large. The ultimate outcome of multiple cropping could be visualized in adverse or harsh environment for increase agriculture production, livelihood and income. Various food products are obtained through multiple cropping. Land equivalent ratio (LER), relative yield total (RYT) and income equivalent ratio (IER) can be increased with mixed/intercropping systems.
    [Show full text]