MIXED-CROPPING PINEAPPLE AND CASHEWS: A COMPREHENSIVE ORGANIC CULTIVATION METHOD
What is mixed-cropping?
Mixed cropping is a farming practice where two or more crops are grown together in the same field. This is in contrast to monoculture, where only one type of crop is grown in a field. In mixed cropping, crops can be planted in different patterns and combinations, such as intercropping (where crops are planted in alternating rows), or relay cropping (where a second crop is planted before the first crop is harvested).
Especially, in Organic farming, multi-cropping plays a crucial role as an effective farming navigation since it brings many benefits for farmers, nature and it also is an indispensable trend in organic agricultural cultivation.
At Truecoop, how is it implemented?
A nursery of 1,000,000 pineapple saplings – intercropping cultivation – improving income streams in Ninh Thuan, Vietnam.
Figure 1. Truecoop pineapple nursery
Truecoop, a farmer cooperative in the organic cashew industry, is embarking on an exciting new project to implement multi-crop pineapple and organic cashew farming. This project aims to provide several benefits to farmers and biodiversity alike.
Figure 2. Customers and Truecoop in a pineapple nursey excursion.
On April 14, 2023, the organic farmer cooperative Truecoop launched an expansion project for its nursery with the goal of reaching one million saplings of Queen and MD2 pineapple varieties over the next five years (2023-2027) through intercropping cultivation with organic cashew trees. With this purpose, farmers will benefit greatly from being supported with high-yielding pineapple seedlings that can be planted immediately without the need for testing.
About MD2 pineapple variety
MD2 is a hybrid pineapple variety with the code 73-114, created by the Pineapple Research Institute (PRI) in Hawaii, USA, through a breeding program that began in 1961.
MD2 belongs to the group of smooth cayenne pineapples, which are suitable for tropical cultivation. Its leaves are dark green, long, thick, with broad blades, hard, and very few spines at the tip. The plant is vigorous, drought-resistant, flowers easily in the main season, and is almost not damaged by sunburn, unlike other cayenne pineapple varieties.
Its flowers are self-colored pink, slightly red, and its fruit is entirely cylindrical, with a large eye, shallow eye socket. Notably, MD2 has significantly superior nutritional content compared to other pineapple varieties, leading to a higher global price than cayenne pineapples.
Regarding temperature, MD2 pineapples grow and develop best in areas with an average temperature of 20-27°C throughout the year, with the monthly average never dropping below 15°C or exceeding 32°C.
As for light, MD2 pineapples are short-day plants that flower under conditions of short daylight hours. Sufficient light will result in high productivity and beautiful fruit, while insufficient light will lead to low productivity, less sweetness, and dark fruit skin. When the pineapple plant enters the fruiting stage and is exposed to strong radiation, its fruit will be sunburned, and the leaves will turn yellow.
Figure 3. MD2 pineapple variety
In terms of air humidity and rainfall, the optimal average annual air humidity is between 75-80%. The ideal annual rainfall for the growth and development of MD2 pineapples is between 1,200-1,500 mm.
MD2 pineapples can be grown on various types of soil, such as Bazan red soil, yellow-red soil, red-yellow soil on the slate, and ancient alluvial soil. The appropriate soil pH is 5.6-6.0. The pineapple plant has a weak root system that primarily distributes in the surface soil layer, so it requires loose, well-drained, aerated soil with good water drainage. Swampy soil or soil with high lime content is not suitable for pineapple cultivation.
Currently, Truecoop owns and has started testing 20,000 pineapple saplings and aims to achieve 1,000,000 saplings by 2027. According to estimates, farmers can intercrop approximately 2,000 pineapple plants per hectare with organic cashew trees.
After 10-12 months, they can harvest about 4,000 kg of pineapples per hectare, providing an additional source of income for farmers and improving their quality of life, as well as encouraging organic farming practices.
What are the benefits bringing to farmers and the biodiversity?
For the farmers:
The project involves introducing pineapple as an intercrop in between cashew trees. This practice, known as agroforestry, has been shown to improve soil health, reduce erosion, and increase yields. By intercropping pineapple with cashew, farmers can diversify their income streams and reduce their dependence on a single crop. This helps to ensure a more stable income for farmers, even in times of market fluctuations.
For the environment
In addition to the economic benefits, multi-crop farming also has positive impacts on biodiversity. By introducing pineapple as an intercrop, farmers can increase the diversity of plant species in their fields. This helps to create a more complex ecosystem, which can support a wider range of wildlife, including birds, insects, and other pollinators. Furthermore, agroforestry practices have been shown to have a positive impact on soil microorganisms, which contribute to overall soil health and nutrient cycling.
Overall, Truecoop multi-crop pineapple and organic cashew farming project is an exciting development in sustainable agriculture. By diversifying the crops and implementing agroforestry practices, farmers can improve their livelihoods while also contributing to the conservation of biodiversity. Truecoop initiative serves as a model for other farmers and cooperatives looking to implement similar practices in their own fields.
