Lok Sabha Question No. 569 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-06-25
Subject: Multilayer Farming
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 569

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 TH   JUNE, 2019

## MULTILAYER  FARMING

569.   SHRI  MOHANBHAI  KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  there  are  any  success stories  of  multilayer  farming,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  considers  multilayer  farming  as  an  expounded  solution  for doubling of farmers' income amongst the small and marginal farmers; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

कृ ष एवं कसान कयाण मंी (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR)

- (a):  Yes. Multilayer Farming is growing compatible plants of different height in the same field at the same time. It is mostly practiced in orchards and plantation crops for maximum use of solar energy  even  under  high  planting  density.  Directorate  of  Arecanut  and  Spices  Development, Calicut,  Kerala  with  Central  Plantation  Crop  Research  Institute,  Kasargod  has  successfully demonstrated Arecanut based cropping Systems in farmers' garden in Karnataka and Kerala during  the  period  from  2006  to  2018.  Some  successful  arecanut  based  models  for  different agro-climatic regions is given as under -

| Region                                                      | Efficient cropping model                         |
|-------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
| Maidan parts of Karnataka                                   | Arecanut-pepper-cocoa Arecanut-banana-acid lime  |
| Costal Karnataka and Kerala                                 | Arecanut-pepper-cocoa-banana                     |
| North Bengal region                                         | Arecanut-pepper-banana Arecanut-pepper-acid lime |
| Wynad dist. of Kerala and Uttara Kannada dist. of Karnataka | Arecanut-cardamom                                |

The  adoption  of  coconut  based  multilayer  farming  (coconut,  pepper,  nutmeg,  banana, cinnamon,  turmeric/ginger)  is  more  remunerative  than  traditional  system.  Multilayer  Farming Models on high value vegetable cultivation under three tier system were introduced in backward districts of Bihar by ICAR Research Complex of Eastern Region, Patna and farmers were able to grow three different vegetables on the same piece of land at a time.

(b) & (c): Yes.  Multilayer farming opens a new door to earn whole round the year as well as there  is  less  risk  of  complete  crop  failure.  It  is  a  potential  technology,  as  it  uses  natural resources  properly.    In  addition  such  a  system  helps  in  better  utilization  of  environmental factors,  greater  yield  stability  in  diverse  environmental  condition,  conservation  soil  and  other resources.  ICAR-  Indian  Institute  of  Farming  Systems  Research,  Modipuram,  Meerut  is undertaking  research  (on-station)  and  technology  validation  through  farmers'  participatory research  (on-farm  research)  on  Integrated  Farming  Systems  and  Cropping  Systems  under AICRP-Integrated  Farming  Systems  (AICRP-IFS)  in  24  states  and  1  Union  Territory  with  the participation of 34 State Agricultural Universities, 6 ICAR institutes and 1 Central University.

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