SANF GREENMENS PVT LTD- Learn About Transport Of Crops Grown As An Intercrop

Although large-scale, industrialized farming has hugely contributed to the increased global food supply over the past few decades, but it came with severe threats to the environment. For instance, application of chemical fertilizer in excess has led to large emissions of reactive nitrogen compounds into the atmosphere, where they turn into significant components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution. Intercropping that involves growing two or more crops in the same field side by side has been considered a sustainable agricultural practice that not only can reduce the environmental impacts of agriculture, but also safeguards both food security (on the part of small and marginal farmers) and air quality.

Major benefits of intercropping:

1. Greater yield leading to greater income
2. Maximum use of soil
3. Security against crop damage

Practicing intercropping ensures an ecological balance and better use of resources. Crop yields increase due to higher growth rate, not to mention, there is reduction in soil erosion, space utilisation, and reduction of weeds, pests and diseases. In multiple cropping system, pest and disease damage is less than traditional (mono) cropping. Intercropping doesn’t ask for intensive labour, what it requires is strong will and management skills. You have full support from SANF GREENMENS PVT LTD if you are thinking about practising intercropping.

Intercropping in Melia Dubia plantation:

Near about every kind of fruit and vegetable can be grown as an intercrop in Melia Dubia plantation, starting from ash gourd, eggplant, drumstick, ginger, papaya, turmeric, to mango, coconut, sugarcane, red gram, pomegranate, marigold. It is the best host, you can grow any crop in Melia Dubia project as an intercrop, it helps other crops by increasing nitrogen content in the soil, secretes carbon, helps other roots in getting water, air, thus leading to rapid growth of the plant.

Melia Dubia or Malabar Neem is a perennial crop (long duration) and grow very tall in short time. You can go for any gram crops or pulses, or legume crops as an inter crop during first year of planting, with vegetables being the best bet. After 3-4 years when canopy enlarges, you can go for any shade loving tree or can do herbs farming in Melia Dubia project as an intercrop. Melia Dubia and sandalwood is usually considered the best combination.

There is a misconception about Melia Dubia farming that at least for eight years one’s land will be entirely blocked (with Melia Dubia plantation), so there’s no earning opportunity. But this isn’t true. You can grow minimum five crops as intercrops in MD plantation, including wheat, pulses, millets, castor, and more. Halfway through the plantation, farmers can start earning from these crops which can also help make up for your expenses for Melia Dubia. You can choose to grow any crop as an inter crop with Melia Dubia, as long as it is not damaging to the main crop, the component crop should support or supplement it in some way.

Guide to transportation of crops:

Transportation of Wheat- Wheat is one of the most produced cereals in the world. Over thousands of years of cultivation, numerous forms of wheat have come into being. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, New Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh are some of the major wheat producing states in India.

The means and cost of transportation play a crucial role in the distribution of wheat. Wheat is transported in large amounts and bags from field to market. The following means of transportation are used at different stages of marketing.

Stage of marketing:

From threshing floor to the village/primary market- farmers carry their produce by means of head load, pack animal, bullock cart or tractor trolley.

From primary market to secondary/wholesale market- it is the trader/miller that transports by truck, railway.

From wholesale market to retailer- transportation is done by retailer by truck, mini truck, rail.

From retailer to consumer- transportation is done by consumer by head load, pack animal, bullock carts, rickshaw, bicycle, two wheeler.

For export- transportation is done by exporter/trader by ship, air, cargo, truck.

Road and rail transport is primarily used for internal markets, whereas it is waterways that are used for export purpose. These days though roadways are also used for transport to neighbouring countries connected by road. Railways is the most important and cheapest mode of transport of wheat, which is appropriate for long distance and for larger quantity.

There are some points that you should take into account in choosing mode of transport:

1. It should protect wheat from adverse weather condition.
2. It should be insured.
3. The delivery should be made in time to the consignee.
4. Costs

Means of transport that are employed in different parts of India to transport wheat include head load, animal load, bullock carts, tractor trolley, and truck.

Transport of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables- Trucks are used to transport fresh produce. Open pick-ups or bigger trucks, either open or enclosed are the commonly used vehicles.

Tips for safe transportation of produce:

Sanitation plays a major role in helping to reduce the potential for microbial contamination of fresh produce from farm to market. It is very important to evaluate sanitation condition since cross-contamination from other foods, nonfoods and surfaces can happen during loading, unloading, storage and transportation.

1. Make sure all transportation vehicles are well-maintained and cleaned.
2. It is essential that you carry out an inspection of the trucks and/or transport cartons for cleanliness, odours and obvious dirt or debris before loading your produce.
3. Proper temperatures should be maintained for both quality and safety of fresh produce. Transporters should be aware of temperature requirements and should work in collaboration with operators to ensure adequate temperature control from loading to receiving.
4. It’s better that you load your produce in transport cartons or trucks to minimize damage and lower the potential for contamination.
5. The workers involved in the loading/unloading during transport should practice good hygiene and sanitation practices.
6. It is equally important on the part of buyers, product inspectors and other visitors to comply with established hygienic practices, such as thoroughly washing their hands before inspecting produce.

# Safe transportation of wheat

# Safe transportation of fruits and vegetables

# Transporting millets to the local market

# Practice intercropping for higher yield

# Intercropping in Melia Dubia