Intercropping of vegetables with pre-bearing litchi plants for profitable and sustainable production system

Abstract

A series of intercrop interventions of vegetable and flower crops viz. cowpea, okra, cabbage, potato, onion, etc. and Gladiolus, respectively were taken. It was found that all the above crops performed well as intercrops for litchi and were profitable to the farmers. The highest net profit was recorded with the Okra - Gladiolus intercrop rotation, hence, it as intercrop was rated as ideal with litchi plantation. Inter-cropping of Okra - Gladiolus with litchi fetched better cost: benefit ratio as the flowers had high demand in the market.