GREEN ECONOMICS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MIXED CROPPING” A CASE STUDY OF COCONUT CULTIVATION IN D.K. DISTRICT

Green economics seeks to promote sustainable development while integrating environmental, social, and economic goals. Mixed cropping, a practice of growing multiple crops simultaneously on the same land is a key strategy for enhancing agricultural biodiversity, improving soil health, and increasing farmers' resilience to climate change. This study examines the role of mixed cropping in coconut cultivation in the Dakshina Kannada (D.K.) District of Karnataka, India, a region known for its significant coconut production. Through a review of literature and analysis of recent data, the study explores the economic, environmental, and social benefits of mixed cropping in coconut farming. The findings suggest that mixed cropping in coconut orchards, involving crops like areca nut, banana, and pepper, can provide farmers with diversified income sources, reduce soil erosion, enhance water retention, and improve biodiversity. The paper also highlights the challenges, such as market uncertainties and the need for better policy support, while discussing the potential for scaling up these practices across other coconut-growing regions in India.