Gadag
The Agriculture Department has advised farmers in Gadag district to adopt intercropping and mixed cropping systems for the 2026-27 monsoon season to improve soil fertility and increase income.
Officials said growing crops like millets, sorghum, and groundnut repeatedly as monocrops can reduce soil health and increase pest and disease attacks. To avoid this, farmers are encouraged to grow pulses along with cereals and oilseeds. Pulse crops help improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in the soil.
The department suggested several intercropping combinations. Farmers can grow cowpea with red gram in a 4:2 ratio or mix crops like sorghum and pulses in suitable row patterns. Cotton can be grown along with crops like onion, chilli, groundnut, beans, and coriander in different ratios depending on soil and water conditions.
In shallow and deep black soils, combinations like red gram with navane have been recommended in specific row ratios. Groundnut can also be intercropped with red gram or millets to improve yield.
For irrigated areas, cotton with soybean, chilli, or onion is suggested, while dryland farmers can try cotton with pulses or vegetables.
Officials also advised farmers to grow sesame, chickpea, or groundnut along field borders to protect crops and improve returns.
The Joint Director of Agriculture said adopting crop rotation, intercropping, and mixed cropping will reduce pest problems, improve productivity, and help maintain long-term soil fertility.
