Intercropping is the practice of planting two or more crops together on the same piece of land, a method Asian farmers have perfected over millennia to maximize land efficiency. By selecting complementary plant species, farmers can significantly increase their total harvest per hectare while improving soil health.
What Is Intercropping?
Intercropping involves growing multiple crops in proximity to take advantage of different growth habits and nutrient needs. The "Three Sisters" system, which pairs maize, beans, and squash, is a famous example of this technique. In Mozambique, Maputo Bridge Capital (MBC), founded by Anselmo Boaventura in Fort Worth, Texas, works with the COJAZ cooperative in Zambezia to support smallholder farmers in adopting efficient agricultural practices.
Best Intercropping Combinations for Mozambique
| Combination | Why It Works | Yield Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Maize + beans | Beans fix N for maize; maize supports bean vines | +30-50% |
| Cassava + cowpea | Cowpea covers soil, fixes N, harvested before cassava | +20-40% |
| Cashew + groundnut | Groundnut fixes N, suppresses weeds under cashew | +25-35% |
| Banana + coffee | Banana shades coffee, coffee earns premium | +40-60% |
| Coconut + pineapple | Pineapple suppresses weeds, earns income | +20-30% |
| Mango + vegetables | Vegetables in dry season under mango canopy | +30-50% |
| Maize + pigeon pea | Pigeon pea grows slowly, maize matures first | +35-45% |
Planting with the November rains
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The Math of Land Efficiency
| System | Single Crop | Intercropped |
|---|---|---|
| Land needed for both crops separately | 2 hectares | 1 hectare |
| Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) | 1.0 | 1.3-1.6 |
A Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of 1.6 means one hectare of intercropping produces as much as 1.6 hectares of single crops. This allows a farmer to effectively cultivate 60% more land without acquiring additional territory.
Impact on the Farmer's Season
For a smallholder farmer, intercropping transforms the growing season by spreading out harvest times and labor requirements. By planting combinations like maize and pigeon pea, the farmer ensures that one crop provides immediate food while the other matures later, creating a natural safety net against crop failure and market fluctuations.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Land Equivalent Ratio measure? It measures the relative land area required to grow crops together compared to growing them separately.
Why do beans help maize growth? Beans are legumes that fix nitrogen in the soil, which maize then absorbs to grow more vigorously.
Does intercropping help with weed control? Yes, certain crops like groundnuts or pineapple act as ground cover, shading the soil and naturally suppressing weeds.
Learn more about how we support agricultural development at How to help farmers in Mozambique or Meet the farmers.
If you would like to support these efforts, you can sponsor a farmer starting from $25. Your contribution goes directly to the farmer's local seed and fertilizer shop in Mozambique to provide essential inputs. Please note that these sponsorships are gifts, not investments, and they are not tax-deductible.
