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)
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
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