Multi-layer Farming- Benefits and Principles
Farming in agriculture is of utmost significance as it ensures the production of food and contributes to food security and environmental sustainability.
Farming in agriculture holds immense importance as it is the primary source of food production which ensures sustenance for the growing population. It plays a vital role in supporting rural livelihoods and driving economic growth. One of the farming practices includes a multi-layer farming practice that provides productivity and profitability in agriculture. Below we have discussed multi-layer farming, its principles, and major benefits in agriculture.
What is Multi-layer Farming?
Multilayer farming is a method of cultivating multiple crops on the same piece of land with different seeds of fruits or vegetables grown at different heights. It optimizes land use by growing plants in multiple layers to increase productivity and profitability. This approach also minimizes water and land requirements, therefore allowing year-round cultivation, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
Benefits of Multilayer Farming
Here are the following benefits of multi-layer farming:-
- Multilayer farming maximizes land use efficiency by utilizing space that leads to higher crop yields per unit area.
- Multi-layer farming helps to prevent soil erosion by using a variety of crops that are grown each year.
- Multilayer farming can be conducted indoors using artificial lighting and climate control, enabling year-round cultivation regardless of external weather conditions.
- Multilayer farming can easily increase crop yields. One can increase their crop productivity by 30% when compared to the conventional method.
- With the ability to create specific growing conditions, multilayer farming allows for the cultivation of a wide range of crops, including those that are not traditionally grown in a specific region.
- Through multilayer farming, pest infestation, and diseases can be prevented. Growing onions with carrots protect carrots from fly pests, etc.
Also read:- Intercropping in Agriculture- Know Benefits and Types
Principles
The principles of multilayer farming include the following:-
- Multilayer farming provides the best opportunities for crop diversification which is based on economic, ecological, and scientific basis.
- Multilayer farming helps to use resources efficiently and precisely.
- Multilayer farming provides sustainability in agriculture and the economy. This process includes growing herbs and shrubs together at a suitable distance to let sufficient light and air enter the crops.
- Usage of enormous amounts of inputs.
Also Read:- Crop Rotation: A Game-Changer for Farmers - Benefits and Effective Implementation
Examples of Multilayer Farming
Following are some examples of multi-layer farming:-
- Coconut +jackfruit +coffee papaya+ pineapple.
- Mango+ guava+ cowpea
- Coconut+ coffee+ black pepper
- Coconut + banana+ coffee
- Mango +pasture
- Pigeon Pea + sesame +pineapple + peanut
- Maize+ green gram+ groundnut
- Sugarcane+ mustard +potato
- Sugarcane+potato+onion
Also Read:- Pomegranate Intercropping- Effective Method to Doubling Farm Income