Multilayer Farming Brings High Returns to Smallholder Women Farmers in Jharkhand
Santoshini Hemran is a happy farmer. Last week she harvested 17 kilograms of bitter gourd which she then sold at Rs 40 per kilogram. Although the 35-year-old farmer from Duaria village in Dumka district, Jharkhand, owns 1.5 acres (0.6 hectare) of land, yet she grows multiple crops on it including lady finger, bottle gourd, turmeric, chillies, leafy greens, brinjal, tomatoes, and sometimes chickpeas.
This has been possible due to multilayer-farming that she adopted earlier this year and has been reaping considerable profit. Hemran said that she makes about Rs 8,000 a month by selling her harvest.
In multilayer farming, farmers can grow several crops simultaneously. Compatible plants of different heights are grown together on the same field at the same time. It is intercropping in which vertical space is utilised more effectively.