Intercropping - An Approach towards Sustainability in Dry Land Agriculture

The scope for enhancement of productivity under irrigated conditions is limited due to over-exploitation of available resources However, there is ample opportunity for boosting yield in drylands by adopting suitable crops and cropping systems. The agricultural sustainability in drylands is comparatively hard to achieve due to different constraints like poor soil fertility, lack of irrigation facilities and moisture stress, small holdings and less investment in agriculture. In drylands, intercropping offers numerous opportunities to increase yield. Intercropping is the simultaneous planting of two or more crops in the same field. Intercropping is essential for improving the effectiveness of land use, weed control, ecological services, and economic viability. Improved yields and yield stability, better use of water and nutrients, increased weed control, increased pest and disease resistance, less soil erosion, and better feed quality are all advantages of intercropping. For maximising productivity in drylands, choosing ecologically sound crops like cereals and millets and implementing intercropping systems are two acceptable solutions. Ancient nutri-cereals known as millets have a significant impact on the nation's food and nutritional security and can provide agricultural sustainability in drylands when grown in intercropping systems. Most farmers who practise subsistence farming to secure their livelihoods choose the intercropping of wheat and legumes.