Does intercropping have a role in modern agriculture?

Abstract

Intercropping—growing two or more crops at the same time on a single field—is an ancient practice still used in much of the developing world. For example, in Africa, corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), or millet (Panicum and Pennisetum spp.) are grown with pumpkin (Cucurbita spp.) cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp), pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), or beans (Phaseolus spp.). Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is grown with yams (Dioscorea spp.) or cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). In the tropical Americas, maize (corn) is grown with beans and squash (Cucurbita spp.). In both Africa and Latin America, beans or peas (Pisum sativum L.) climb tall cornstalks while pumpkins or squash cover the ground below. In these countries, many farmers have limited access to agricultural chemicals and equipment so prevalent in the developed world. Besides, intercropping is much less risky in that if one crop fails another or the others may still be harvested.