Relay Cropping: Meaning, Method & Benefits

Ever noticed a farmer sowing a new crop while the old one is still standing tall in the field, not even harvested yet? That's not some mistake; that's relay cropping, and it's actually a smart way of getting more out of the same land without wasting a single day. Let's understand what relay farming actually means.

What is Relay Cropping? 

Relay cropping is a cropping system in which the second crop is sown in the standing first crop prior to crop harvesting, so that the crop growth cycles of the two crops are overlapped for a period.

Unlike sequential cropping, where you wait for one crop to finish before planting the next, relay cropping eliminates the wait. The two crops literally share the field for a short window, which is where the real time and yield advantage comes from.

How Does Relay Cropping Work? 

The key to this is timing. The farmer directly sows the seeds of the second crop in the same field, usually in the spaces between the rows of the first crop. 

The first crop is still growing, ready to be harvested, and the second crop has sprouted and is beginning to grow. You will now have a gradual and continuous transition as opposed to leaving the field between two crops, and the field will also not be left empty. 

Relay Cropping Method: Step-by-Step Process 

• Crop compatibility: Choose first and second crop combinations such that their growth habits or nutrient demands are not incompatible. 
• Timing sowings: The sowing time for the second crop should correspond with the time when the first crop is reaching physiological maturity - not too early and not too late.
• Second crop seeding: The second crop is sown between the rows of the first crop.
• Irrigate and treat normally: Leave first crop until harvested.
• Remove the first crop: Remove the first crop carefully so as to minimise disturbance of the young second crop growing beneath.
• Second crop care and attention: All focus is on the second crop and making it to the end of the second crop cycle when the first is done.

Benefits of Relay Cropping 

• Generally, the field is mostly cultivated, which gives less opportunity for weeds to grow.
• No delay between two crops; quick crop rotation on the same land saves valuable time!
• Better use of the land because the field is productive almost all the time, rather than lying fallow between seasons.
• Consistent use of resources, which means that existing irrigation infrastructure and labour are used more consistently.
• Greater earning potential, as two harvests will increase returns more quickly and therefore raise year-on-year earning potential.

Factors to Consider Before Adopting Relay Cropping 

You've got some practical issues to think through before you go into relay cropping. 

• Do your chosen crops actually have compatible lengths of time to grow? 
• Is there enough soil moisture and nutrients to support two overlapping crops? 
• Does your local climate allow for that kind of tight timing without risking either crop? 

Labour availability will also be important during the overlap period, as sowing and harvesting must be carefully coordinated, and it is also useful to check market demand for both crops beforehand.

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