Intercropping grows two or more crops at the same time in the same field; relay planting sows the second crop before the first is harvested.
Why do it
- Higher total output per acre when crops use light, water and nutrients differently.
- Risk spreading: if one crop fails, the other may hold.
- Nitrogen: cereal with legume gives the legume's nitrogen to the cereal.
- Fewer weeds and pests in some combinations.
Good pairs (examples)
Maize with beans or cowpea, sorghum with pigeon pea, sesame with mung bean or sorghum in alternating rows, onion with carrot.
Rules
Choose crops of different height and root depth, set row ratios so the main crop is not shaded out, adjust fertilizer to both, and think about harvest and mechanisation before planting.
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