Template:Chapters 2.8
2.8 - Intercropping and Relay Cropping in a Ginger Cropping System
Leah Chin , University of Guelph,Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Chin,L. (2022)Intercropping and Relay Cropping in a Ginger Cropping System . In Farmpedia, The Encyclopedia for Small Scale Farmers. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.farmpedia.org
Introduction
The purpose of this chapter is to provide farmers with baseline knowledge and helpful advice to achieve efficient ginger farming enterprises using intercropping and relay cropping systems. The following report explains a variety of methods which can be adjusted and adapted based on the needs of the farmer. This chapter also provides a brief review of ginger farming practices and production tactics around the world, specifically for women farmers, with the intention of inspiring individuals and their communities to start successful businesses.
The Benefits of Ginger
Culinary & Medicinal Uses
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a perennial crop that develops an edible rhizome (Nishina et al., 1992). The rhizome can be sold in its raw state or processed to make other edible products. Ginger products include pastes, oils, liqueur, teas, coffees, carbonated drinks, and dry spice powder (Mmasa & Mhagama, 2017; Saravanakumar, 2021; Nainwal & Tewari, 2022). Ginger can provide medicinal benefits like antioxidants or alleviate gastrointestinal ailments and nausea (Nainwal & Teari, 2022; John Hopkin’s Medicine, n.d.). Thus, ginger is an important element in pharmaceutical industries and traditional medicine like Ayurveda (Nainwal & Tewari, 2022).
Ginger can be used to transform the livelihoods of women farmers. A study which involved interviewing women in Ghana found those who grew ginger as a cash crop earned a greater income than women who did not (Yiridimoh et al., 2021). Ginger farming enabled them to pay for their children’s school tuition (Yiridimoh et al., 2021). Other unaffordable costs of living, including insurance and medical expenses, were also paid for (Yiridomoh et al., 2021). The ginger products are also valuable business avenues for women. This can be seen in the Dynamic Conservation and Sustainable Use of Agro-Biodiversity in Traditional Agro-Ecosystems of the Philippines project (ABD project) whose goal was to encourage rural women to become entrepreneurs through ginger candy production (FAO, 2021). As of 2021, ginger tea sold for approximately USD 3.86 per kilo and the candy for approximately USD 3.20 per kilo (FAO, 2021). Selling these products results in an increase in profit of approximately 43% when compared to selling raw ginger alone (FAO, 2021).
Ginger Cropping Strategies
Growing Conditions & Methods
Ginger requires warm, humid conditions and is typically planted during seasons of heavy rainfall (Azam-Ali, 2007). The average annual rainfall required for successful ginger growth is between 1500-3000 mm (Azam-Ali, 2007). Ginger grows best in well-drained soils; therefore, soils consisting of mainly sand or loam substrates are best (Azam-Ali, 2007). Soil must also have a pH range of 5.5-6.5 (Nishina et al., 1992). If the farmer wishes to sell raw ginger, it can be harvested roughly 5 months after initial planting (Azam-Ali, 2007). If ginger powder is the end-product, harvesting can occur 8-9 months after planting (Azam-Ali, 2007). For regions where rainfall is limited, sufficient irrigation is required. A potential method of irrigation is the development of community ponds around fields which will collect rainfall (Saravanakumar, 2021). When preparing the land, creating ridges or raised beds is recommended (Saravanakumar, 2021). If the farm is located on a hill, creating rows along a contour will help mitigate erosion (Saravanakumar, 2021).
Intercropping & Relay Cropping
Intercropping and relay cropping are methods of farming which involve growing more than one crop at a given time (Tanveer et al., 2017; Huss et al., 2022). Intercropping methods require multiple crops to be grown simultaneously, while relay cropping requires planting a secondary crop into a pre-existing crop that is near harvest (Tanveer et al., 2017; Huss et al., 2022).
Crop Combinations
Ginger can be intercropped, or relay cropped for more efficient use of space and to increase production. Crop combinations, cropping system types, row spacing, and ideal soil temperatures for sowing are listed in Table 1. Average soil temperature will indicate the timing when crops should be sown in a given region. Potential crops which can be used in addition to ginger include cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and cauliflower; leguminous crops such as mungo, soybean, Lablab, and cowpea (Quimio et al., 1977; Nwaogu et al., 2015; Kumar et al., 2018). Other crops like corn, spinach, sweet potato, and bitter gourd are also suitable (Quimio et al., 1977; Kumar et al., 2018). When intercropped with ginger, leguminous crops can help improve soil fertility including nitrogen and phosphorus availability, as well as organic carbon (Nwaogu et al., 2015). It can also improve yield of ginger. For example, mungo can have a significant positive effect on ginger rhizome yield and shoot development when intercropped (Nwaogu et al., 2015). However, spacing should be considered when establishing plots. The best spacing for optimal growth and yield is 2 rows of leguminous crop with 1 row of ginger (Nwaogu et al., 2015).
For relay cropping, soybean, mungo, cabbage, sweet potato, or sweet corn are good choices (Quimio et al., 1977). When planted as an intercrop, soybean and mungo yield can be significantly improved (Quimio et al., 1977). The best combination for ginger rhizome yield is an intercrop of soybean or mungo at 10 cm apart from ginger (Quimio et al., 1977). Additionally, relay cropping of sweet corn and cabbage directly post-harvest of ginger can significantly improve ginger root yield (Quimio et al., 1977). For yields of inter- and relay crops, intercropping soybean and relay cropping sweet potato and sweet corn is a good option (Quimio et al., 1977). When intercropping with sweet potato, rhizome yield may be reduced due to competition for sunlight and nutrients (Quimio et al., 1977). Ensuring adequate space, such as increasing row spacing greater than 30 cm, could mitigate this. The economic return of inter- and relay cropping differs amongst intercrops. For example, ginger mixed with spinach, with cauliflower and bitter gourd intercrops provides a best cost to benefit ratio of 3.30 when compared to other combinations excluding one or more of these crops (Kumar et al., 2018). Therefore, the success of the mixed cropping strategies is dependent on the combination of crops and inter- and intra-spacing of rows.
Critical Analysis
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Ginger has the potential to be an increasingly valuable crop and has increased in market value in certain parts of the world (Dahal & Rijal, 2020). In regions like Nepal, ginger is a lucrative crop with a cost benefit ratio of 2.42 (Dahal & Rijal, 2020). However, profit is constrained by crop disease and limited access to technology (Nainwal et al, 2022; Dahal & Rijal, 2020). Loss of revenue can be traced to low yield from disease, and subsequent reliance on traders (Dahal & Rijal, 2020). The addition of traders can result in significant economic loss for farmers, with traders profiting up to 45% of the retail value (Dahal & Rijal, 2020). The ability to acquire the land required to grow ginger is another limiting constraint, particularly for women (Yiridomoh et al., 2021). The technology needed to convert ginger from its raw state into something storable is also difficult to access; thus, if the market for ginger is limited, it will easily become rotted and unable to sell (Yiridomoh et al., 2021).
Limitations & Management Requirements
Competition during intercropping systems may pose a risk to production potentially greater than that of insect damage (Huss et al., 2022). Ensuring adequate space between intercrops can limit competition for sunlight. Additionally, selecting crops which differ in root depth can reduce competition for underground resources like water and nutrients (Huss et al., 2022). Implementing intercropping and relay cropping strategies also increases farming complexity (Huss et al., 2022). This is because the frequency of harvesting is greater, as intercrops may mature at different rates or as relay cropping relies on consecutive growing (Huss et al., 2022). Therefore, additional manual labour and the need for mechanized equipment may be required (Huss et al., 2022).
Solutions
Initiatives to fund women-farming enterprises can help significantly. The Joint Programme on Accelerating Progress Towards Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE) is an example of a program whose mission is to provide women with opportunities to gain an independent income, achieve food security and adequate nutrition, as well as eliminate societal barriers related to gender through pathways like public education, access to technology, and advocacy for policy reformation (JP RWEE, 2024). Providing farmers with adequate education and technology can directly improve income. With knowledge of pesticides, diseases like rhizome rot are less frequent, improving yield, and reducing reliance on third parties like traders. Overall, ginger inter- and relay cropping can help lift women out of poverty, provide a means of economic independence, and in return uplift their families and local communities if they are given the right tools to succeed.
Practical Resources to Get Started
Intercropping Ginger with Broccoli and Cauliflower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQdO57JUXIU
Mistakes to Avoid and How to Weed Ginger Farms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=JMr8vCm0rbg
Images of Common Ginger Diseases: https://plantvillage.psu.edu/topics/ginger/infos
In-Depth Process of Farming Ginger: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAUgWW9xEKI
Lists Suppliers of Food Processing Equipment: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/48027428.pdf
Relay Cropping of Maize and Ginger: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/afro-green-033b5b283_our-ginger-crop-grown-on-relay-with-maize-activity-7088418177075789824-pjDW/
References
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