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

Project

Walter MupangwaCIMMYT

Africa RISING East and Southern Africa Review and Planning Meeting, Malawi, 14-16 July 2015

Enhancing adoption of SIMLEZA-AR technologies

Field visits in February 2015

On site discussions with host farmers & neighbors in each camp

On site discussions with host farmers & neighbors in each camp

Baby CA demonstrations

4 drought tolerant maize varieties under CA

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

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

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

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

Print & Electronic media

Radio, TV & Newspaper journalists interviewedresearchers

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

• Radio Breeze from Chipata

• National Television of Zambia

Radio, TV & Newspaper journalists interviewedDistrict Agricultural Co-ordinators

• Kuphindula ndi TLC radio program with Radio Breeze

Discussions with stakeholders in IPs• Discussions aimed at addressing bottlenecks to technology adoption & use

• Meetings held: 20 November 2014 & 7 February 2015

Vuu Mtaya kapara chanje0

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Field Days attenandance

MenWomen

Camps

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Chanje Mtaya Vuu Kafumbwe0

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Labour demands under different practices in Eastern Zambia

Ridge & furrowMaize continuousDibble stick MaizecontinuousDibble stick-Maize/Cowpea intercropDibble stick-Maize -Cowpea rot

Maize Productivity under different CA and CV manual systems

2012/13 2013/140

5001000150020002500300035004000

KafumbweRidge & furrowMaize continuousDibble stick MaizecontinuousDibble stick-Maize/Cowpea intercropDibble stick-Maize -Cowpea rot

seasons

yiel

d kg

/ha

2012/13 2013/140

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MtayaRidge & furrowMaize continuousDibble stick MaizecontinuousDibble stick-Maize/Cowpea intercropDibble stick-Maize -Cowpea rot

seasons

yiel

d kg

/ha

2012/13 2013/140

1000

2000

3000

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5000 ChanjeRidge & furrowMaize continuousDibble stick MaizecontinuousDibble stick-Maize/Cowpea intercropDibble stick-Maize -Cowpea rot

seasons

yie

ld k

g/ha

2012/13 2013/140

1000

2000

3000

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5000

Vuu

Ridge & furrowMaize continuousDibble stick MaizecontinuousDibble stick-Maize/Cowpea intercropDibble stick-Maize -Cowpea rot

seasonsyi

eld

kg/h

a

Maize productivity under different tillage practices (Mechanise system)

2012

/13

2013

/140

100020003000400050006000

Kawalala

CN Sole MaizeRipper Maize continuousRipper maize soy rotation

seasons

yiel

d kg

/ha

2012/13 2013/140

5001000150020002500300035004000

Hoya

CN Sole Maize

Ripper Maize continuous

Ripper maize soy rotation

seasons

yiel

d kg

/ha

2012/13 2013/140

50010001500200025003000350040004500

Kapara

CN Sole MaizeDirect Seeder Maize continuousDirect Seeder maize soy rotation

seasons

yiel

d/ha

/kg

Cumulative Distributions of Soybean Yields (2012-2015)

0.2

.4.6

.81

Pro

babi

lity

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

babi

lity

-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 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