Intercrops or mixed crops should be chosen based on the climatic needs of the crops, available irrigation facilities, and soil type. Additionally, factors such as the canopy size, age, and spacing of the coconut trees must be considered. Market suitability should also be evaluated before selecting an intercrop.
Below 7 years of age: Suitable annual crops for specific soil types and climatic conditions can be used as intercrops for up to 5 years after planting, depending on the canopy coverage. Crops such as groundnut, sesame, sunflower, tapioca, turmeric, and banana can be cultivated as intercrops.
Coconut + Banana
7 – 20 years of age : Green manure crops and fodder crops (Napier grassand guinea grass) alone can be grown.
Coconut + Cumbu Napier Grass
Above 20 years of age (20 years of age has to be adjusted based on thesunlight transmission of above 50% inside the canopy) : The following crops can be cultivated based on soil and climatic suitability. (i)Annuals: Groundnut, bhendi, turmeric, tapioca, sweet potato, elephant footyam, ginger, pineapple (ii) Biennials: Banana varieties like Poovan andMonthan are suitable.(iii) Perennials: Cocoa, pepper (Panniyur 1 or Panniyur2or Panniyur 5 or Karimunda), nutmeg, vanilla, acid lime and guava.
