Multi-Crop production system: Intercropping Strategies for Banana and Plantain

Improved system production for better yield

Intercropping is a farming technique where different crops are grown together on the same land. In this case, it's about growing bananas or plantains alongside other plants. This is a really important method for farmers. However, there are also some challenges. The plants might compete for nutrients and water, and diseases could spread. Also, planting and harvesting need to be done carefully to avoid damaging the banana roots.

This technology is TAAT1 validated.

5•7

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 5/9; level of use 7/9

IP

Open source / open access

Problem

Competition for nutrients and water: Growing only bananas or plantains on a plot can lead to competition for nutrients and water, potentially reducing crop quality and yield while inefficiently using available resources.
Weed suppression: Monoculture plantations are prone to weed proliferation, which competes with the main crops for nutrients, water, and sunlight, necessitating intensive herbicide use for weed control.
Soil degradation and erosion: Monoculture can degrade soil fertility and increase soil erosion due to nutrient depletion and lack of vegetation cover, posing risks to long-term soil health and productivity.
Vulnerability to diseases and pests: Concentrated planting of a single crop makes it more susceptible to diseases and pests, leading to significant crop losses and reliance on pesticides for pest management.
Dependency on external inputs: Monoculture systems often rely heavily on external inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides to maintain productivity, resulting in high costs and environmental impacts from excessive chemical use.
Susceptibility to extreme weather: Monocultures of bananas and plantains are sensitive to extreme weather events such as droughts or storms, which can cause substantial crop losses and economic damage to farmers.
Loss of biodiversity: Monoculture farming reduces agricultural biodiversity by limiting the variety of crops grown on a given plot, potentially disrupting local ecosystems and overall agricultural resilience.

Solution

Soil Erosion Prevention: Intercropping with various crops helps maintain soil structure, preventing erosion caused by wind and water.
Organic Nutrient Addition: Intercropped biomass acts as natural mulch, enriching the soil with organic nutrients and improving its fertility over time.
Nitrogen Fixation: Legume intercrops facilitate nitrogen fixation, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and promoting soil health.
Enhanced Fertilizer Efficiency: Intercropping systems optimize the use of inorganic fertilizers, reducing wastage and environmental pollution.
Disease Spread Prevention: Intercropping reduces the spread of diseases within banana and plantain crops, enhancing overall plantation health.
Weed Suppression: The presence of intercrops suppresses weed growth, minimizing competition for resources and reducing the need for herbicides.
Diversified Income: Intercropping offers farmers multiple revenue streams, improving financial stability and resilience against market fluctuations.
Early Harvests: Intercropping allows for early harvests of companion crops, providing income before banana yields are ready.
Climate Resilience: Intercropping legumes enhances the resilience of food systems to climate change by improving soil health and crop diversity.
Biodiversity Promotion: Intercropping fosters biodiversity within agricultural landscapes, contributing to ecosystem health and resilience.
Efficient Resource Use: Intercropping maximizes land, water, and nutrient use efficiency by harnessing synergies between different crops.
Adaptation to Local Conditions: Farmers can tailor intercropping choices to suit specific agro-ecological conditions and market demands, optimizing resource utilization.
Customized Planting Methods: Intercropping allows for simultaneous or relay planting based on farmer preferences and seasonal conditions.
Innovative Layouts: Various planting layouts, such as alternating rows or mixed strips, offer flexibility in crop arrangement to suit different farm sizes and conditions.

Key points to design your business plan

Using Intercropping Strategies for Banana and Plantain boosts farmer income, enhances food security, and promotes sustainable agriculture by diversifying crops, reducing chemical usage, and fostering biodiversity.

To effectively employ this technology, it's essential to:

Receive comprehensive education and training on the benefits and implementation of intercropping, encompassing the selection of compatible crops, proper planting techniques, and management of intercrop interactions.
Obtain access to vital information regarding suitable intercropping combinations, agronomic practices, and market opportunities to facilitate successful adoption.
Secure high-quality seeds for both banana/plantain and companion crops, as they are indispensable for initiating intercropping practices.
Benefit from continuous extension support from agricultural experts or extension workers to address challenges, offer guidance, and ensure proper implementation.
Ensure availability of inputs such as fertilizers, organic amendments, and pest management tools at affordable prices to sustain intercropping activities effectively.
Recognize that no commercial or environmental licenses are required to practice intercropping.
Optimize outcomes by establishing partnerships with agricultural development institutes, fertilizer suppliers, and agricultural service companies to provide support and assist in distribution.
Enhance optimization by integrating with complementary technologies such as Biofortified Beans for Improved Nutrition, Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (High provitamin A), Disease-resistant cassava varieties, and New Rice for Africa (NERICA varieties).

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

The poor: Positive high

Under 18: No impact

Women: Positive high

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

Carbon footprint: A bit less carbon released

Environmental health: Moderately improves environmental health

Soil quality: Improves soil health and fertility

Water use: A bit less water used

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Benin	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Burkina Faso	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Burundi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Cameroon	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Côte d’Ivoire	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Democratic Republic of the Congo	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Malawi	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Mali	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Nigeria	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Rwanda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Somalia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Tanzania	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Togo	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Uganda	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Zambia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Tropic - warm
Arid	–	–
Semiarid
Subhumid
Humid

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 13: climate action

Goal 1: no poverty

Goal 12: responsible production and consumption

Planting Together: Farmers plant different crops like bananas, plantains, and other plants in the same area.
Choosing the Right Mix: Farmers decide which crops to grow together based on what grows well in their area and what people want to buy.
Taking Care of the Soil: Some plants add good things to the soil, like natural fertilizer, which helps all the crops grow better.
Harvesting at Different Times: Some plants are ready to be picked earlier, giving the farmer income while waiting for the bananas or plantains to be ready.
Being Careful with Machines: Farmers have to be gentle when using machines so they don't damage the plants.
Watching for Problems: Farmers keep an eye out for diseases and pests to make sure all the plants stay healthy.
Learning and Adapting: It's important for farmers to learn what works best in their specific area and adjust their farming methods accordingly.