By Emilie Hansted Berning, Pernille Aavild Juhl, Ane Kirstine Aare and Henrik Hauggaard-Nielsen, Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University (RUC).
Denmark’s export-oriented agricultural sector, driven by strategies to maximize production per input unit (e.g., labor, land, fertilizer, and seed), is facing severe challenges. These include compliance with water frameworks, declining soil health, and biodiversity losses, alongside a government commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55–65% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. To meet these goals, significant changes in agricultural practices are required. At the same time, Denmark leads globally in organic food market share (13%) and aims to double its organic farming area to 21% of total agricultural land by 2030, in line with the EU target of 25% organic farming by the same year.
Farmer group exploring pea-barley emergence and initial competitive interactions. Photo © Ane Kirstine Aare.
A survey with 26 questions addressing drivers and barriers related to producing intercrops for human consumption in a Danish context was filled out by 121 organic farmers, who incorporate intercropping into their management systems. Among the respondents, 33 farmers managed small-scale farms of 0–20 hectares (often spare-time farms), 21 operated farms in the 20–100 hectare range, 20 were mid-scale farmers managing 100–300 hectares, and 9 managed large-scale farms exceeding 300 hectares. Both livestock, arable and mixed farmers were represented. Farmers with livestock often had prior experience with intercropping for fodder, such as grass-clover pastures for grazing or silage, and pea-barley for silage.
Farmer group resting in the shade after hand harvesting, comparing different fields and sites. Photo © Ane Kirstine Aare.
The results revealed that 94% experienced lower disease and pest pressure and improved yield stability with 80% reporting improved quality in harvested produce. These findings suggest that intercropping, as an agroecological crop diversification strategy, can enhance the sustainability of crop production. Despite this, 42% of the farmers expressed a lack of motivation to apply intercropping practices for direct human consumption in the future.
To explore these quantitative survey results further, 10 in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with selected survey participants. These farmers managed farms ranging from 20 to over 600 hectares, with or without livestock, and with or without crops intended for direct human consumption. The interviews employed open-ended questions to examine five key areas: i) robustness, ii) general perceptions, iii) crop varieties and selection, iv) barriers, and v) motivation.
Farmer group emphasizing the importance of proper seeding for the desired final intercrop result. Photo © Ane Kirstine Aare.
Preliminary data analysis from these interviews indicates that intercropping in Denmark faces several challenges, particularly related to regulatory frameworks, value chain dynamics, and field management. EU policies currently reward legumes only when grown in monoculture, limiting financial incentives for Danish farmers seeking to diversify their cropping systems through intercropping strategies. Within the value chain, wholesalers are hesitant to purchase intercrops for human consumption, citing concerns about allergens, labor costs, and the challenges of cleaning mixed crops to meet the quality standards expected by the market. Danish farmers also struggle to sell surplus intercrop-related produce due to limited recognition of these crops’ use for direct human consumption in the international markets where they operate. Additionally, some varieties are unsuitable for export, necessitating stronger domestic market development and competencies.
This has led to declining interest from wholesalers, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to sell their intercrops at a fair profit compared to other land-use options. In terms of field management, farmers face challenges incorporating cereal-grain legume intercrops into existing cropping systems, particularly due to grain legume disease risks and the typical 4–6-year rotation guidelines. However, grain legume sole crops have the reputation of high yield variability, due to low weed competitive ability and lodging for some species, late maturity for others. Exemplified in the survey with lentils, in general, the cultivation of minor crops is often perceived as high-risk reducing the willingness to try out crop diversification strategies – including intercropping. There is a strong demand from farmers for more knowledge sharing to enhance their flexibility in crop diversification—both in time (rotation) and space (intercropping)—with crop combinations tailored to Denmark’s specific climatic, soil, and market conditions.
How to transition from cleaning to a final, often separated and purified product to meet market demands. Photo © Ane Kirstine Aare.
Post-harvest treatment remains a significant challenge, as farmers must contend with the costs of on-farm labor and the specialized skills required to sort and clean intercrops. Alternatively, they may face additional expenses when relying on external companies for this task.
Farmers are calling for more research, particularly field trials and practical advisory services tailored to Denmark’s specific context. This includes not only field operations but also how to explore market opportunities and navigate within market dynamics, while complying with national and EU environmental goals. From these farmers’ perspectives such efforts are regarded essential to support a wider adoption of intercropping strategies under real-world conditions.
Despite these challenges, farmers agree that intercropping has the potential to become a relevant part of the toolbox to meet political goals, and for enhancing resilience and adapting to climate change on their farms.
This article was written by Emilie Hansted Berning, Pernille Aavild Juhl, Ane Kirstine Aare and Henrik Hauggaard-Nielsen, Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University (RUC).