VEHARI, Dec. 4 (China Economic Net) - Maize-soybean strip intercropping technology, an advanced agricultural technology introduced from China, achieved good harvest in various demonstration plots in Pakistan both under irrigated and rainfed conditions.

The data indicated that the yield per hectare of the intercropping system was equivalent to the yield of crops on 1.5 hectares of the sole cropping system. Therefore, the intercropping system is more profitable in obtaining a higher net income with less input.

Maize-soybean strip intercropping technology demonstration plot in Vehari. [Photo provided by Muhammad Ali Raza]

More specifically, under irrigated conditions, in Vehari, the yields of intercropped maize and soybean respectively reached 7,608 kg/ha and 1,029 kg/ha, and in Bahawalpur, the data is 7,219 kg/ha and 887 kg/ha. In sole cropping system in Bahawalpur, maize and soybean produced 1537 kg and 7894 kg per hectare.

Bumper harvest of soybeans in the intercropping plot in Vehari. [Photo provided by Muhammad Ali Raza]

Under rainfed conditions, at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University’s research farm, intercropped maize and soybean produced 4969.4 kg/ha and 940.1 kg/ha, while sole cropped maize and soybean produced 6052.75 kg/ha and 1263.5 kg/ha.

Intercropped soybeans under rainfed conditions at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University’s research farm. [Photo provided by Muhammad Ali Raza]

In the coming season, a larger scale of demonstrations around 50 hectares will be arranged at more research institutes and universities. In addition to National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) and PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, and Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, etc. will join this technology demonstration as well. Moreover, enterprises like Nizami Industries will also arrange a plot on 25 acres of land.