Horticulture on dykes

Dykes cover a large area on many farms. Despite its potential for production, dyke land is most often underutilized. The following are some suggestions for making use of dykes.

Dyke planted with cabbage

Fruit trees

Dig pits (50 cm in diameter x 30 cm deep) and fill them with compost and soil. Plant papaya saplings (April-May) and banana and citrus (June-July). Water regularly. Maintain 3 banana plants in one pit. Harvest papaya after 6 months.

Creeper plants

Dig small pits (25 cm in diameter x 10-15 cm deep) and add compost. Plant gourd seeds (2-3 in each pit) in March. Build a bamboo trellis for creepers over your pond. Harvest from May onwards.

Leafy vegetables

Cultivate leafy vegetables like amaranthus, water bindweed, and Indian spinach during summer.

Winter crops

Cultivate and dress the top soil with compost. Build small mounds spaced 40-cm apart. Transplant early varieties of cabbage and cauliflower in late August or early September. Add water as needed. When plants reach 15-20 cm, apply fertilizer (Sufala, 20-25 g to each plant). Repeat 25-30 days after transplanting. Begin harvesting 65-70 days after transplanting.

Part way through harvesting the first crop, transplant cabbage and cauliflower on the intermediate harvested space. Manure and water the same as for the first crop. The second crop will be ready by February. Intercrop with spinach and tomato.

Fish culture with waste leaves

Use waste leaves of horticultural crops and banana leaves as feed for grass carp. (See related topics in this manual.)

Contributor. Dr. A. K Dutta