Punjab Rice Research and Development Board Chairman Shahzad Ali Malik Sunday stressed the urgent need for switching over to “intercropping” for growing two or multiple crops simultaneously in the same field for bumper agricultural production to achieve food autarky besides boosting the profitability of farmers across the country.
Talking to a delegation of progressive farmers led by Pir Saddam Hussain Shah of Pindi Shaikh Musa district Faisalabad, he said intercropping can significantly enhance overall crop productivity, said a press release. By growing different crops together, farmers can maximise the use of available resources, such as sunlight, water, and nutrients, he added.
He said the complementary nature of different crops helps in better utilisation of the growing space, resulting in higher yields per acre. “Income from intercropping can improve farm profitability and financial stability,” he said.
Intercropping provides a form of insurance against crop failure. If one crop is susceptible to pests, diseases, or adverse weather conditions, the other crops in the mixture can compensate for the losses.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 3rd, 2023.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ