Problems and Prospects of Mixed Cropping – A Study with Special Reference to Pepper and Cardamom Cultivators in Idukki District
Keywords:
Mixed cropping, Marketing StrategiesAbstract
Mixed cropping means growing more than one crop on the same piece of land at the same time. In order to increase the productivity and income from the land, people may resort to mixed cropping method of farming. The study was made with the objectives of identifying the reasons for choosing the particular crops, to know the advantages of mixed cropping, to identify the problems faced by the mixed cropping farmers, to identify the marketing strategies adopted by the farmers and propose suitable suggestions. Data was collected from the farmers who are cultivating both Pepper and Cardamom from Idukki District. Sample size was 65 farmers. Geographical area is the main reason for choosing a particular crop for the cultivation by the respondents The main problems which is faced from the area of marketing system is that the retailer or the shop keeper does not give the full price for the product that the farmers produced. It was suggested that the Government should take initiatives and give training and proper guidance to the younger farmers.
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