In a system that emphasizes sustainable agriculture, secondary crops is one component for crop rotation. Palawija is able to save water in the dry season so it does not burden irrigation, especially when irrigation is not able to provide enough water for lowland rice. Palawija is also able to be a source of livelihood in the highlands where plants cannot grow. On the slopes of Mount Merapi, farmers rotate plants by planting rice interspersed with crops to break the life cycle of rat pests. This crop rotation is proven to increase productivity of local agricultural products.
