Contributions

CoA 3.1 Cropping systems management

Crop-livestock are complementary in feed, workforce, manure and income all of them if well integrated contribute to optimizing the overall farm level productivity²¹⁵ and resilience²¹⁶. Mixed cereal-legume-tree-livestock systems are regarded as risk management options in the face of changing and variable climate²¹⁷ but also for cost reduction through N inputs from the legume²¹⁸. Both types of crops are sources of starch, protein and micronutrients for balanced diets of the rural populations²¹⁹ while legumes provide opportunities for income generation²²⁰. For all the above mentioned reasons, this cluster will focus on options for crop and crop variety mixes, rotations and management to increase productivity and enhance resource use-efficiency and soil quality. In addition, to reduce drudgery and increase labor-use efficiency, low-cost mechanization options will be developed with partners (NARES, NGOs and private industry) including two-wheel tractors for land preparation and planting, threshers, drying equipment and milling machines.