Intercropping is the act of growing different types of crops on the same piece of land with several benefits to farmers.
However care should be taken not to create an environment of competition amongst crops grown and it is always advisable to choose the best type of crops to intercrop depending on farmers field.
Intercropping systems
Row: It involves growing two or more crops in rows at the same time.
Strip: This involves growing two or more crops in strips but ensuring that they interact.
Mixed: Here two or more crops are grown without distinct arrangement.
Riley: Here the second crop is planted when standing crop is at its productive stage but not yet harvested.
Benefits
Maintains soil fertility since legumes replace nutrients consumed by cereals.
Helps to check pest and diseases that usually affect a single crop stand.
Controls weeds by competing over space with the weeds.
Provides a buffer crop to field which provides harvest when the main crop fails.
Gives a big basket of food to feed your family.
Makes farming profitable and increases land fertility thus more food and income.
