Cashew Nut Based Cropping System - a Paying Proposition for Cashew Growers of West Bengal

摘要

Effective utilization of available space, both horizontally and vertically, is the modern concept of cropping system. Wider inter spaces available in normally spaced (7.5x7.5 m) plantation offer opportunities for raising other crops. During the firstyear 90% area is available for intercropping which is reduced to 80 and 70% during the second and third year, respectively. Cropping system research aims at increasing production and farmer's income in a sustainable manner.Experimental results from the Teaching Farm Mandouri, BCKV, during 2003-2005 indicated that cashew+ginger+amaranthus was more remunerative showing highest net return of Rs. 1,70,583 followed by cashew+elephant foot yam+ bhindi (Rs. 1,38,537) in a 3- to 4-year-old plantation. The net return in sole crop of cashew is negative (Rs. 4084). It is expected that profit from cropping sequence will be increased with the age of plantation as the cashew nut will come into full bearing. It clearly indicates that the cropping system had positiveinfluence on growth and yield of cashew. Moreover, plant nutrient status of the soil and leaf nutrient status of cashew nut were improved due to adoption of cropping system. CBCS have been found to bestow social, cultural and environmental benefits to the coconut farming communities. The socio-economic benefits become more pronounced in case of small and marginal farmers who dominate the coconut community.