Abstract

Mixed cropping is typical of African subsistence farming and involves the planting of a combination of crop species on a farm as insurance against bad weather and other hazards. In Swaziland, cereals, legumes, and cucurbits (gourds) are usually intercropped, with maize the chief crop and principal food. This project will attempt to improve intercropping patterns through a program of selection of high-yielding and adapted crop mixtures, and management packages for optimum yields and efficient land use.

Post-Project Summary

This project developed intercropping models adaptable to four agro-ecological zones in Swaziland. The research team conducted research plots at 24 locations on farmers' fields; and experimented with a wider range of cropping patterns, varieties, and agronomic treatments at the University of Swaziland. It was noted that emphasis was placed on increasing productivity, especially through the use of intercropping early- and late-maturing varieties. Researchers found it was possible to harvest the earlier maturing crop to allow relay cropping of a third component. Among combinations tested were: maize with green beans and green maize; maize with pumpkin; and groundnuts and sorghum and/or green beans. A series of experiments was also conducted to characterize and describe local pumpkin varieties. It was noted that project accomplishments were successfully disseminated through farmer training by research staff. Support continued in a second phase.

Recipient Institution(s)