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Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Systems for the Eastern Province of Zambia-Africa RISING...

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Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Systems for the Eastern Province of Zambia- Systems for the Eastern Province of Zambia- Africa RISING (SIMLEZA-AR) Project Africa RISING (SIMLEZA-AR) Project
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Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Systems Sustainable Intensification of Maize-Legume Systems for the Eastern Province of Zambia-Africa RISING for the Eastern Province of Zambia-Africa RISING

(SIMLEZA-AR) Project(SIMLEZA-AR) Project

• Enhancing adoption & adaptation of GAPs Enhancing adoption & adaptation of GAPs (maize/legume cropping)(maize/legume cropping)

• Soybean processing and product developmentSoybean processing and product development• Maize and legume variety diversification and Maize and legume variety diversification and

enhancing seed deliveryenhancing seed delivery

Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

• Timely planting & weeding

• Inoculation of legumes ( soybean)

• Crop rotation/ associations (intercropping)

• Soil cover ( mulching)

• Application of recommended fertiliser rates

• Pest and disease management

Field visits in February 2015Field visits in February 2015

On site discussions with host farmers & On site discussions with host farmers & neighbors in each campneighbors in each camp

On site discussions with host farmers & On site discussions with host farmers & neighbors in each campneighbors in each camp

Baby CA demonstrationsBaby CA demonstrations

4 drought tolerant maize varieties 4 drought tolerant maize varieties under CAunder CA

Maize & cowpea rotation under CAMaize & cowpea rotation under CA Weed control using herbicides in Weed control using herbicides in CACA

• 827 farmers hosted 827 farmers hosted ‘’Baby CA’’ ‘’Baby CA’’ demonstrations across 7 demonstrations across 7 campscamps

• 28 farmers hosted 28 farmers hosted ‘’Mother CA’’ trials ‘’Mother CA’’ trials across 7 campsacross 7 camps

Baby CA demonstrations in each agricultural camp (2014/15 season)Baby CA demonstrations in each agricultural camp (2014/15 season)

Maize Productivity under different CA and CV manual systems

Maize productivity under different tillage practices (Mechanise system)

Cumulative Distributions of Soybean Yields (2012-2015)

0.2

.4.6

.81

Pro

bab

ility

27.69 260.1 492.51 724.92 957.33 1189.74

Soybean Yields (kg/ha)

Soybean (no inputs) Fertilized soybean

Inoculated soybeans Inoculated & fertilized soybeans

Cumulative Distributions of Maize-Soybean Rotation Benefits (2012-2015)

0.2

.4.6

.81

Pro

bab

ility

-153.8 60.02 273.84 487.66 701.48 915.3

Gross value of production (US$)

Continous Maize Maize after soybean (no inoculants)

Maize after fertilized soybeans Maize after inoculated soybeans

Maize after fertlized & inoculated soybeans

Benefit Cost Ratios (Maize-Soybean Rotation)

Lessons

• SI technology benefits are context specific (state contingent)

• SI technology benefits are most apparent in down-side risk mitigation

Adaption of SIMLEZA-AR technologies to farmer circumstancesAdaption of SIMLEZA-AR technologies to farmer circumstances

• Timely weed management – Herbicide use, maintaining recommended mulching levels, intercropping

• Variety choice ( Maize & legume) according to farmer circumstance, seasonal quality and agro-ecological season

• Adapting CA principles to farmer circumstances• Inoculation & rotation of maize and legumes to improve yields

Environmental Impact

• Improved soil & water use efficiency

• Improved nutrient recycling

• Improved soil health?

• Carbon sequencing?

• Reduction of aflatoxin levels – through use of mulch ?

• Negative impact of herbicides on the ecosystem ?

• Reduction of downside risk ?

Mature Technologies

• Improve maize & legume varieties ( DT)

• Mechanised CA – Animal drawn Rippers

• Manual CA - Dibble stick

• Soybean inoculation

• Maize-legume rotations/ intercropping

• Weed management strategies– herbicides and soil cover

Print & Electronic mediaPrint & Electronic media

Radio, TV & Newspaper journalists interviewedRadio, TV & Newspaper journalists interviewedresearchersresearchers

• Times of Zambia & Times of Zambia & The Post The Post newspapers newspapers (article published (article published on 7 February on 7 February 2015)2015)

• Radio Breeze from Radio Breeze from ChipataChipata

• National Television National Television of Zambiaof Zambia

Radio, TV & Newspaper journalists interviewedRadio, TV & Newspaper journalists interviewedDistrict Agricultural Co-ordinatorsDistrict Agricultural Co-ordinators

• Kuphindula ndi TLC radio program with Radio Breeze

Scaling out cont.…...,

• Established partnerships – with public extension system and NGOs

• Training of extension agents, healthy workers, technicians & lead farmers

• 5 Msc & 1 PhD student

• Hands on training on use of mechanised CA equipment (rippers, direct seeders, jab planters)

• Safe use of herbicides

• 3 publications in peer reviewed journals

Conclusion

• Strong extension services to improve adoption & promote sustainable intensification practices required (maize-legume intercropping,  maize-legume rotation, inoculation of legume seeds etc) required

• Further understanding of adoption & dis-adoption dynamics of sustainable intensification practices/technologies.

• A need for alternative cover crops in area where livestock is an important component of livelihood strategies (reduce crop-livestock competition)

• Improved time and budget allocation on documentation of research results

Zikomo


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