KHANPUR: The Sugarcane Research Station Khanpur has introduced mustard, locally known as Raya, as an intercrop with sugarcane to promote better land use and improve farm profitability.
Sugarcane was planted on August 24 using a John Deere sugarcane planter, while Raya was sown 44 days after the sugarcane plantation.
At the time of Raya sowing, the sugarcane crop had completed its germination phase and entered the tillering stage. According to researchers, this growth stage allows the mustard crop to be established with limited competition between the two crops during their early development.
Principal Scientist Taj Muhammad, along with Scientific Officer Tauqeer Qadir, visited the field and provided technical guidance on Raya intercropping and crop management.
The activity aims to demonstrate how scientifically planned intercropping can make more efficient use of available farmland while providing farmers with an additional source of income.
Intercropping can also support more efficient use of land and farm resources when crop combinations, planting times and management practices are carefully planned.
The research activity at Khanpur is expected to provide practical insights for farmers interested in improving productivity and profitability through scientifically managed cropping systems.
