Productivity and Profitability of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) + Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Intercropping System for Marginal Farmers in North-Western Part of Bangladesh

Authors

Rafiqul Islam, Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Pabna, BangladeshFollow
MM Kamal, Charles Sturt University, Australia
MF Hossain, Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Pabna, Bangladesh
J Hossain, Pulses Research Centre, BARI, Pabna, Bangladesh
MG Azam, Pulses Research Centre, BARI, Pabna, Bangladesh
MS Islam, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

Publication Date

6-30-2021

Abstract

The agroecological practice of intercropping, meaning farming of two or more crop simultaneously in the same field has recently reaped renewed interest for developing more sustainable cropping and food systems. This technology gained immense interest to marginal farmers of Bangladesh for better economic return from small parcel of their cultivable land. This study evaluated the variants of intercropping system of turmeric (Curcuma longa) + okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) having yield advantage and profitability. The study was conducted during the crop season of 2017 and 2018 at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, BARI, Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh. Five intercropping combination, viz T₁ = 100% turmeric + 100% okra, T₂ = 100% turmeric + 90% okra, T₃ = 50% turmeric + 50% okra, T₄ = sole turmeric (100%), T₅ = sole okra (100%) were studied. The performance of various treatment combination was evaluated based on land equivalent ratio (LER), competitive ratio (CR), monetary advantage index (MAI) and system productivity index (SPI). The findings revealed that intercropping of okra did not affect the rhizome development stage. The T₁ and T₂ treatment gave 21.85 and 21.59 t ha^-1 rhizome yield of turmeric, respectively. Besides, intercropping of okra @ 100 and 90% population (T₁ and T₂) enhanced 13% and 11% rhizome yield, respectively than the monoculture yield (19.38 t ha^-1). However, the 100% turmeric + 100% okra intercropping system exhibited maximum turmeric equivalent yield (35.43 t ha^-1), LER (2.12), MAI (4558.61 US$ ha^-1), and SPI (44.39). Intercropping indices recommended a positive association of turmeric and okra crops. The study discovered that okra could be introduced as an intercrop with turmeric to increase cropping area and enhance profitability of marginal growers.

Recommended Citation

Islam, Rafiqul; Kamal, MM; Hossain, MF; Hossain, J; Azam, MG; and Islam, MS (2021) "Productivity and Profitability of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) + Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Intercropping System for Marginal Farmers in North-Western Part of Bangladesh," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 104: No. 2, Article 2.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol104/iss2/2