Traditional maize/legume intercropping: IPSR Innovation Profile

In maize-legume intercropping, two or more crops are grown simultaneously by smallholders in the same cropping season sharing the same piece of land. This practice reduces the risk of total crop failure and improves nutritional yields. Soil fertility is improved through organic matter build-up and biological nitrogen fixation by the companion leguminous crops. Soil moisture is conserved through improved in-situ soil cover.