Vol.
1 Issue-4, December 2020
Multi layer farming: an advance Inter cropping
Nikhil Singh
Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, U.P
Corresponding author:
[email protected] ARTICLE ID: 013
Introduction
Multi layer farming or multi tier farming is an advance way of integrated
intercropping which allows growing multiple crops on the same piece of land in a specific
time. It is one type of intercropping. Multi layer farming is mainly based upon cash crop and
it includes cultivation of vegetables, fruits, flowers. Crops of different height, root and shoot
pattern, photosynthetic rate, maturation time are selected in this farming technique.
Multi layer farming: A gift for Marginal, Small and Semi-medium farmers
In India, about 62%, 19% and 12% farmers are comes under category of marginal,
small and semi-medium farmers. A huge population of farmers have very less amount of
cultivable land so, with this farming technique farmers can maximize the use of land and can
grow different crops, vegetables, fruits, flowers, medicinal plant in one time. This way
marginal, small and semi-medium farmer can generate good revenue instead of having less
amount of cultivable land.
Objective of multi layer farming
1. One of the major objective is to maximize the use agricultural land, water, manures
and fertilizers
2. To promote sustainable agriculture
3. To increase the production of different crops in a specific time
4. To generate good income from one piece of land
5. To minimize crop-weed competition
6. To observe allelepathy phenomenon for further research purpose
7. To minimize soil erosion
8. To maintain soil texture and fertility
49
9. to minimize the effect of any insect, pest or diseases
Page
www.justagriculture.in
Vol.1 Issue-4, December 2020
Reference: News of Chhattisgarh (blog covering news)
Steps taken to perform multi layer farming
A. Crop selection: Different crops are selected to grow. Crops must have different height
and maturation period.
B. Field selection & preparation: Geometrical shaped (Square & Rectangle) is considered
as good land for multitier farming. Different operations like tillage, addition of FYM,
composting should be done. A good seed bed is prepared with the help of tillage
operation.
C. Seed selection & seed treatment: A good quality of seed of different crop is selected.
Seed should be pure, viable, vigorous and have high yielding potential. Seed treatment is
done to disinfect them from seed-borne disease or soil-borne disease.
D. Irrigation: Artificial application of water to crops. Irrigation is one of the important
aspect for growth of plants. It is essential to meet the transpiration and photosynthetic
requirements. Water serves as medium of dissolving the nutrients present in soil. In case
of multi layer farming one must take care of irrigation. Neither much water nor less water
is given. Average amount of water is mostly preferred. Ring basin method is good for
irrigation.
E. Addition of manures & fertilizers: Manures and fertilizers are given for proper growth
and development of crops. Different crops required different amount of nutrition. so,
basal method is mostly preferred. FYM, compost, NPK is most important for crop
50
growth.
Page
www.justagriculture.in
Vol.1 Issue-4, December 2020
F. Weeding: Weeding is done to kill unwanted plants in field. Hand weeding, hoeing and
sickling method is good to perform weeding in multi layer farming. Instead of this one
can use weedicides to kill weeds. Insecticides and pesticides are used to kill pest and
insects.
G. Harvesting & Post-harvesting: Removal of beneficial part from crops and store them in
safe place.
H. Packaging & marketing: Obtained materials are packed and sell in market for income.
Examples of crops based on multi layer farming
coconut+ coffee+ black pepper
coconut+ banana+ coffee
mango+ guava+ cowpea
coconut+ jackfruit+ coffee+ papaya+ pineapple
pigeon pea+ groundnut+ sesame
pigeon pea+ rice(upland)+ black gram
sugarcane+ mustard+ potato
okra+ radish+ cluster bean+ beet root
spinach+ radish+ onion
pointed guard+ elephant foot yam+ cucumber+ cauliflower
maize+ green gram+ groundnut
Multi layer farming at a glance
There are enough evidences that multi layer farming is beneficial over mono or sole
farming. Sole crops might be fully damaged by drought, floods, hailstorms, hurricanes and
epidemics. As a result famers will lose the whole crop and investment, and this will be
disastrous for poor farmers. However, multi layer farming provides a type of insurance
against crop failure reduces pest and diseases incidence and provides additional yield
advantage from the intercrops as bonus yield. Legumes used as mixed/intercrops will provide
synergistic effect due to fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and thus improving soil physical
property and fertility conditions. There will be efficient utilization of resources like air, water,
51
light, space, and nutrients. Multi layer farming is also important from marketing point of
Page
www.justagriculture.in
Vol.1 Issue-4, December 2020
view. As we are getting more than one crop simultaneously so even if the selling price of one
commodity is less in the market, the other might compensate.
Conclusion
It is great farming technique. There is a need to create awareness about the importance and
usefulness of multi layer farming over mono or solo farming. This can be done by involving
active participation of both public and private institutions including farmers' organization in
local, regional and global level. Indian agriculture, in general, characterized by low and
uncertain return. In order to break the vicious cycle of low return equal low saving equal low
investment equal low return, multi layer farming is necessary because it provide high return.
52
Page
www.justagriculture.in
