Turmeric + Chilli Intercropping: Way towards Doubling Farmers Income

A field experiment was undertaken during 2020-21 to check out the compatibility of turmeric with chilli as intercrop (T?3) compared to sole crop (T?1) and turmeric intercrop with fodder maize (T?2). A Frontline Demonstration was laid out at Itanal village of raibag taluka farmer?s field with objective of utilizing available nutrients, duration and space between the beds. Turmeric + chilli intercrop (T3) is on par with sole cropping of turmeric in growth attributes like number of tiller per clumps (5.5 and 5.4) and total dry yield (48.2 and 48.1 q/ha) respectively. The highest significant additional income was observed in Turmeric + chilli intercrop (T3) was Rs. 1,48,150 /ha (58%), increased CEY 70.2 q/ha (45.7%), maximum B:C ratio (1:2.75) and turmeric with intercrop fodder maize (T2) reduce income (-6%) and crop equivalent yield (47.7 q/ha) with B:C ratio (1:2.26) in compared with sole crop turmeric yield (48.2 q/ha) with B:C ratio (1:2.42). Hence, turmeric + chilli intercrop with spacing of 120 cm between beds and 240 cm between plants in bed method cultivation of turmeric significantly increase the income without affecting the growth and yield of main crop turmeric.