A set of experiments were conducted for the verification and validation of system based technology in order to increase the productivity and householdssystem of the mid hills (1100-1600 m) in the eastern Nepal during 2003-2006. Two independent research activities were executed including soyabean and ginger intercrops under double plants maize per hill (100x50 cm) system (DPS). Along with biological data, feedbacks from farmers were also collected. Yield data revealed significant differences of maize spacing (P<0.05) and soyabean varieties (P<0.01). The yield in DPS of maize was higher (4334 kg/ha) and the performance of soyabean varieties Seti and Chaing Maw 60-63 was better under the same system. The combined analysis of ginger (rhizome) yield over locations showed a significant difference (P<0.05), however interaction with locations and treatments were non-significant. Sole ginger followed by ginger planted under maize DPS yielded higher in both the years. Maize yield was at par and/or better among the treatments. The combined analysis for the years (2004 & 2006) showed the highest yield from DPS (maize+ginger) (17.0 & 23.4 t/ha) followed by sole cropping ginger (15.1 & 18.6 t/ha) respectively. The economic analysis for the years 2004 and 2006 revealed the highest profit from DPS of maize+ginger was Rs.86250/ha (US$ 1224)& Rs. 80942/ha (US$ 1156) followed by sole ginger Rs.78500/ha (US$ 1114) & Rs. 53656/ha(US$ 767) respectively while compared with sole maize (Rs.158/ ha or US$ 2.2/ha) which wasn maize performed better without lowering the maize yield. Similarly, on-farm income can be easily increased with the intervention of ginger in the maize-based system.

Conservation Agriculture Program

Text in English

INT3018