Strip cropping: A solution for decliningintercropping in India
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Authors
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V. Maruthi
ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Telangana 500 059
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K.S. Reddy
ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Telangana 500 059
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P.K. Pankaj
ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Telangana 500 059
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K. Srinivas
ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Telangana 500 059
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V.K. Singh
ICAR-Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad, Telangana 500 059
Keywords:
Climate adaptation, Herbicide, Light interception, Mechanisation, Single operationAbstract
Strip cropping offers a promising solution by allowing mechanised, single-operation sowing of crop strips wide enough for independent management yet narrow enough to retain beneficial crop interactions. Field studies at ICAR-CRIDA proved that 4:4 sorghum + pigeonpea strip configuration using a customised planter sown in a single operation improved yield of the total system up to 22–43% during high rainfall years, reduced labour and energy requirement, improved land use efficiency, crop intensification and crop diversification opportunities compared to conventional 2:1 sorghum + pigeonpea intercropping. Strip cropping emerged as a sustainable, climate-resilient cropping strategy suited for both smallholders and commercial farms in India due to improved soil water retention, light interception, supporting soil health, and provides ecosystem services such as erosion control.
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