INTERCROPPING IN COFFEE FARMS, NEW TREND FOR SUSTAINABLE CULTIVATION IN THE CENTRAL HIGHLANDS

The results of survey on intercropping systems in coffee farms in the Central Highlands showed that there were 7 types of intercropping system in which the four most popular were: coffee with durian (Durio zibethinus); coffee with black pepper (Piper nigrum L.); coffee with avocado (Persea nmericana) and coffee with cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.). The high density of intercropping plant decreases coffee yield less than 3 tons per ha. Farmers used unbalanced fertilizer dose of N - P2 O5 - K2 O ratio and the time of fertilizer application was not right. The amount of water irrigated for intercropping farm was quite reasonable, the average amount of water used for coffee was 400 liters per tree per time, durian of 250 liters per tree per time, pepper of 100 liters per plant per time, avocado of 300 liters per tree per time. Coffee productivity was less fluctuation over the years. Economic effects for intercropped farms increased from 1.5% to 300%.