Exotic spices, banana, cacao, coffee, cassava, vanilla, ginger and turmeric are a few of the shade growing crops that grow well within coconut plantings. CKC promotes intercropping for sustainable agro-biodiversity in coconut farming systems.

We must think about where diversity in our food systems may come from, now and into the future. By understanding that securing good nutrition is about building sustainable food supply chains, protecting biodiversity and implementing crop diversity, we may achieve more in developing and protecting agro-biological diversity in global food systems. Smallholder farmers are effective practitioners and champions of food biodiversity. Coconut farmers showcase agricultural diversity within the spacings between the tall palms that shade a variety of valuable tropical food crops.