Dr BR Kamboj, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University (HAU), said that adoption of intercropping in sugarcane cultivation can increase farmers’ income and make agriculture more profitable.
He was addressing scientists and farmers during his visit to demonstration plots at the Regional Research Station of the university located at Uchana. On this occasion, he inspected sugarcane demonstration plots planted at a spacing of 4 feet, whereas farmers traditionally cultivate sugarcane at a spacing of about 2.5 feet.
Dr Kamboj appreciated the successful demonstrations of sesame, groundnut, moong, soybean, okra and other crops grown along with sugarcane.
He said that such intercropping systems should be widely promoted through intensive extension so that farmers can obtain additional income and ensure better utilisation of land and resources. He also discussed the recently developed sugarcane variety CoH-191 and said that it is highly suitable and beneficial for intercropping systems.
Dr Kamboj said that cultivation of oilseed crops like sesame and groundnut along with sugarcane during the kharif season would also help reduce the country’s edible oil deficit. He further stated that inclusion of pulse crops would improve soil fertility and reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Dr Sanjay Kumar, Regional Director, Dr Dalip Gosain, former Principal Scientist (Agricultural Extension) and Head, KVK, NDRI, Dr M.C. Kamboj, consultant faculty, and other scientists welcomed the VC.
Dr Gosain said that this method of sugarcane planting requires less seed material and also facilitates easier application of fertilisers in the crop. He said that intercropping provides additional working days to farm labourers, thereby generating extra economic benefits for farmers and farm labour.
Dr MC Kamboj and other scientists of the Regional Research Station also shared information regarding ongoing research programmes on the latest maize varieties. Dr Kamboj informed that upcoming maize varieties would possess higher protein content and greater yield potential.
The VC urged farmers to adopt scientific methods and move towards diversified cropping systems. He said that intercropping with sugarcane can become an effective income-enhancing model for small and medium farmers.
