Banana + Black gram as intercrop for additional Income and enhanced Fertility

Ramu Thampalayagowder planted 4000 suckers of traditional banana varieties per acre. Single banana plants produce 55 leaves on an average per mother plant and 22 leaves on side shoots.

So main leaves are sold at the rate of Rs.2.0 ( Mother plant leaves are big ) and side shoot leaves are small that are used for serving tiffin in hotel sold @ Rs.1.50

Big leaves 4000 plants * 55 leaves * Rs.2.0 = Rs.4,40,000
Small leaves 4000 plants * 22 leaves * Rs.1.25 = Rs.1,10,000
Total Earning is Rs.5,50,000 per acre

Again the cost of cultivation is less compared to the cultivation of fruits. For leaf production, we need to apply more nitrogen and less phosphorus and potassium

Black gram as an intercrop is sown in three lines in between rows of bananas.30,000 plants are standing in the one-acre area. This will produce a yield of around 300 kgs. At a selling price of Rs.200, it brings Rs.60,000 per acre without any additional expenditure.

Also, the cultivation of black gram as intercrop in bananas produces more nitrogen that will be used by growing bananas without impacting the growth and yield of either crop.

Since black gram matures in about 60-65 days, it is harvested before banana plants cover the entire land with full shade.