Maize-legume rotations improve soil health and crop productivity
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Dated: July 2019
Author: Wezi Mhango
A summary of findings from the "Best Bets" research project undertaken in Malawi.Excerpt:To investigate how maize-based cropping systems in Malawi could function more sustainably, the CRRP commissioned a research project led by Bunda College of Agriculture. The ‘Best Bets’ project began in 2006 and is led by Professor George Kanyama- Phiri, who has been conducting research on agroecological issues for smallholder farmers in Malawi for over two decades. The Best Bets project is now in a third phase and aims at sustainably enhancing the productivity of smallholder farming systems in different agroecological environments in Malawi. It also aims to improve nutritional diversity of farm families, particularly for children under five years of age and for pregnant women. The project seeks to achieve these aims through strengthening innovation based on farmer-led priorities and farmer evaluated technologies. “It aims at improving crop productivity and soil health through integration of grain legumes in maize based systems. The project is promoting sole and doubled-up legumes involving pigeonpea, groundnut, soybean and cowpea. Doubled-up legumes involves intercropping two legumes with complementary growth habits. These legumes are rotated with crops such as maize to take advantage of the fertility left behind by the legumes,” says Professor Kanyama- Phiri. “Since a lot of smallholder farmers are poor and unable to afford the high price of inorganic fertilizer, the project will help farmers to achieve multiple benefits of improved soil fertility, enhanced crop productivity, and better family nutrition,” he adds. Note: This resource was added to this database as part of a migration of resources from the now defunct CCRP Sphaera platform, and is still awaiting a comprehensive review and quality check.
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