Abstract:
The rubber cultivations in Sri Lanka hold economic importance, yet pose challenges
during the six-year immature phase due to the absence of latex production and
underutilized land. Intercropping, particularly with pineapple, offers a promising
solution to enhance land productivity and income. This study assessed the yield and
financial performance of two high-density pineapple intercropping systems: the
paired double row system (2*2 system, 13,900 plants ha⁻¹) and the paired triple rows
system (2*3 system, 20,900 plants ha⁻¹), established under immature rubber at the
Salawa estate, Pussellawa plantations, Avissawella. The experiment was performed
under a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data were analyzed
using ANOVA and Duncan's test (p<0.05). Yield indicators; length, girth, and weight
of pineapple fruit, and yield per hectare were collected. Rubber growth was evaluated
by girth expansion. Financial benefits were analyzed using the benefit-cost ratio
(BCR) and net present value (NPV) for two harvesting approaches: farmer-harvested
(FH) and contractor-harvested (CH). There were no significant differences in fruit
dimension, yield parameters, or rubber growth metrics among treatments. However,
financial metrics varied with the 2*3 system showing higher NPV (26.5 and 18.1
million for FH and CH) than the 2*2 system (16.9 and 11.3 million for FH and CH)
suggesting better economic returns from the 2*3 system. In both systems, the BCR
was higher for the FH approach (3.89 and 3.51 for 2*3 and 2*2) than the CH approach
(2.99 and 2.69 for 2*3 and 2*2). The study concludes that the 2*3 high-density
pineapple intercropping system offers better financial returns and profitability
without affecting the pineapple yield and rubber growth, particularly under a farmer
harvested approach. Future research should focus on system optimization, latex
production, and long-term viability to improve ecological and financial outcomes in
rubber cultivation.
