Yield Advantage and Economic Performance of Rice-Maize, Rice-Soybean, and Maize-Soybean Intercropping in Rainfed Areas of Western Indonesia with a Wet Climate

Cereals-soybean intercropping is not well studied, despite the importance of these crops in increasing agricultural profitability and ensuring nutritional and food security in Southeast Asia. We compared different intercropping practices (IPs) with monocropping practices (MPs) for their yield and economic performance by small-scale farms without mechanization. The treatments were IPs of rice-maize, rice-soybean, or maize-soybean compared with MPs of rice, maize, or soybean as sole crops, across three provinces in the rainfed areas of western Indonesia with a wet climate. Our results show that the yield advantages using the land equivalent ratio of the IPs were 44% for rice-maize, 54% for rice-soybean, and 63% for maize-soybean compared to MPs. Rice equivalent yield, maize equivalent yield, and the gross margin under IPs were significantly higher per cycle than under MPs; IPs provided a substantially lower cost of production and of paid workers. Compared to just rice, there were additional net return gains of USD 160 and USD 203 ha(-1) per cycle under rice-maize and rice-soybean intercropping. Maize-soybean intercropping resulted in an additional net return gain of USD 153 ha(-1) compared to just maize. These results suggest there is considerable potential for small farmers to increase their yields and profits by intercropping in rainfed areas with a wet climate.

Automated summary

Cereals-soybean intercropping has not been extensively studied, but comparing different intercropping practices with monocropping practices in Indonesia's rainfed areas showed significant yield advantages and economic benefits. Intercropping of rice-maize, rice-soybean, and maize-soybean resulted in higher yields, gross margins, and lower production costs compared to monocropping of rice, maize, or soybean. The potential for small farmers to increase yields and profits through intercropping in rainfed areas with a wet climate is substantial.