Maize‐based intercropping systems in Bangladesh: Exploring the potential of spice and tuber crops in charland areas

Abstract Chars, the dynamic riverine and coastal landforms of Bangladesh, offer considerable potential for agricultural intensification despite many agronomic and environmental constraints. The present study aims to bridge existing research gaps by evaluating the yield performance, land use efficiency, and economic viability of various maize‐based intercropping systems in the representative charland region of Jamalpur. The experiment was conducted during the rabi seasons (November–April) using three dispersed replications of Randomized Complete Block Design. Five monoculture and four maize ( Zea mays ) intercrops including potato ( Solanum tuberosum ), sweet potato ( Ipomoea batatas ), onion ( Allium cepa ), and garlic ( Allium sativum ) were considered. All intercropping systems outperformed sole maize in land‐use efficiency and profitability with land equivalent ratio (LER) values above 1.0, indicating superior productivity. Among the combination, maize–garlic recorded the highest LER (2.86), corresponding to a 186% yield advantage compared to sole cropping, and produced the maximum maize equivalent yield (28.8 t ha −1 ), net return (NR; 0.55 million Bangladeshi Taka ha −1 ), and benefit–cost ratio (BCR; 3.24). Maize–onion also had the second favorable competition indices, signifying enhanced resource balance (BCR 2.39). The findings reveal that intercropping of maize with short‐duration, high‐value crops enhances productivity and profitability and offers a sustainable pathway for agriculture under marginal charland conditions. The widespread adoption of maize–potato and maize–sweet potato intercropping systems is recommended to enhance land use efficiency and increase farm profitability, as both systems demonstrate BCR and NR compared to sole maize cultivation in the charland areas of Bangladesh.