Africa Research in sustainable intensification for next generation

Sustainable intensification of mixed crop livestock systems is a key pathway towards better food security, improved livelihoods and a healthy environment. As part of the US government’s Feed the Future initiative to address hunger and food security issues in sub-Saharan Africa, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is supporting three multi-stakeholder agricultural research projects to sustainably intensify key African farming systems.

Intercropping cowpea as a living mulch with maize improves food security and dietary diversity. It also conserves soil moisture, adds soil nitrogen, and suppresses weed growth.

Based on a new, locally available feed, less wastage, and better veterinary care; the feed and health package improves farmers’ food security and incomes by increasing livestock productivity.