Maize–legume strip cropping effect on productivity, income, and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana

Maize (Zea mays L.)–legume intercropping is common cropping system among smallholder farmers in West Africa. However, little is known about the income risk reduction associated with maize–legume strip cropping in West Africa. A 3‐yr study was conducted in Upper West and Northern regions of Ghana to...

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Main Authors: Rahman, N.A., Larbi, Asamoah, Kotu, Bekele Hundie, Asante, M.O., Akakpo, D.B., Bedi, S.M., Hoeschle‐Zeledon, I.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Wiley 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113155
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author Rahman, N.A.
Larbi, Asamoah
Kotu, Bekele Hundie
Asante, M.O.
Akakpo, D.B.
Bedi, S.M.
Hoeschle‐Zeledon, I.
author_browse Akakpo, D.B.
Asante, M.O.
Bedi, S.M.
Hoeschle‐Zeledon, I.
Kotu, Bekele Hundie
Larbi, Asamoah
Rahman, N.A.
author_facet Rahman, N.A.
Larbi, Asamoah
Kotu, Bekele Hundie
Asante, M.O.
Akakpo, D.B.
Bedi, S.M.
Hoeschle‐Zeledon, I.
author_sort Rahman, N.A.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Maize (Zea mays L.)–legume intercropping is common cropping system among smallholder farmers in West Africa. However, little is known about the income risk reduction associated with maize–legume strip cropping in West Africa. A 3‐yr study was conducted in Upper West and Northern regions of Ghana to determine the effect of maize–legume strip cropping on productivity, income, and income risk using a randomized complete block design with five replications in each region. Seven treatments were used: sole crops of maize (M) cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] (C) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) (G), a combination of two rows of M and two rows of legumes (L) (2M:2C and 2M:2G), and two rows of M and four rows of L (2M:4C and 2M:4G). Maize–legume strip cropping options (2M:2L and 2M:4L) on the average saved 90–100% of agricultural land, significantly increased income by about threefold, and reduced risk of operating at a financial loss by 75% compared with sole cropping. Smallholder farmers, especially sole legume cropping farmers in the Guinea savanna of northern Ghana and similar agro‐ecologies in West Africa, could adopt maize–legume strip cropping systems (2M:4L or 2M:2L) to mitigate production risk and increase financial return.
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spelling CGSpace1131552025-11-11T10:08:53Z Maize–legume strip cropping effect on productivity, income, and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana Rahman, N.A. Larbi, Asamoah Kotu, Bekele Hundie Asante, M.O. Akakpo, D.B. Bedi, S.M. Hoeschle‐Zeledon, I. maize legumes cropping systems smallholders farmers ghana income Maize (Zea mays L.)–legume intercropping is common cropping system among smallholder farmers in West Africa. However, little is known about the income risk reduction associated with maize–legume strip cropping in West Africa. A 3‐yr study was conducted in Upper West and Northern regions of Ghana to determine the effect of maize–legume strip cropping on productivity, income, and income risk using a randomized complete block design with five replications in each region. Seven treatments were used: sole crops of maize (M) cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] (C) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) (G), a combination of two rows of M and two rows of legumes (L) (2M:2C and 2M:2G), and two rows of M and four rows of L (2M:4C and 2M:4G). Maize–legume strip cropping options (2M:2L and 2M:4L) on the average saved 90–100% of agricultural land, significantly increased income by about threefold, and reduced risk of operating at a financial loss by 75% compared with sole cropping. Smallholder farmers, especially sole legume cropping farmers in the Guinea savanna of northern Ghana and similar agro‐ecologies in West Africa, could adopt maize–legume strip cropping systems (2M:4L or 2M:2L) to mitigate production risk and increase financial return. 2021-03 2021-03-30T15:23:21Z 2021-03-30T15:23:21Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113155 en Open Access application/pdf Wiley Rahman, N.A., Larbi, A., Kotu, B., Asante, M.O., Akakpo, D.B., Bedi, S.M. & Hoeschle‐Zeledon, I. (2021). Maize‐legume strip‐cropping effect on productivity, income and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana. Agronomy Journal, 1-12.
spellingShingle maize
legumes
cropping systems
smallholders
farmers
ghana
income
Rahman, N.A.
Larbi, Asamoah
Kotu, Bekele Hundie
Asante, M.O.
Akakpo, D.B.
Bedi, S.M.
Hoeschle‐Zeledon, I.
Maize–legume strip cropping effect on productivity, income, and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana
title Maize–legume strip cropping effect on productivity, income, and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana
title_full Maize–legume strip cropping effect on productivity, income, and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana
title_fullStr Maize–legume strip cropping effect on productivity, income, and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Maize–legume strip cropping effect on productivity, income, and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana
title_short Maize–legume strip cropping effect on productivity, income, and income risk of farmers in northern Ghana
title_sort maize legume strip cropping effect on productivity income and income risk of farmers in northern ghana
topic maize
legumes
cropping systems
smallholders
farmers
ghana
income
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113155
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