On farm verification of maize-vegetable based intercropping systems under subsistence farming of Jharkhand

Abstract

Almost 80 percent of total agricultural area of Jharkhand state is rainfed, consequently, Kharif crop is the most common. The Rabi and summer crops cover a limited area with assured irrigation. Productivity and profitability of Rabi and summer crops is higher than the Kharif crop due to a number of reasons including high infestation of weeds and insect-pests during Kharif. Increasing profitability of Kharif maize is major issue particularly under subsistence farming. Vegetable intercropping is an important agronomical technique that improves diversification of food supply (Francis, 1985) and ensures high economic returns (Rana et al., 2001).