Companion planting and biodiversity

Companion planting—the strategic cultivation of mutually beneficial crops—has shown promise in Africa for enhancing nutrition, soil health, pest control, and agricultural resilience. Below are key examples where companion planting contributes to improved human nutrition and health outcomes in African contexts:

Maize–Beans Intercropping (Eastern & Southern Africa)

Countries: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia

Practice: Planting common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) alongside maize.

Nutritional Impact:

• Beans are high in protein and iron, addressing protein-energy malnutrition and anemia.
• Improves dietary diversity for subsistence farmers.

Agronomic Benefits:

• Beans fix nitrogen, enriching soil for maize.
• Reduces need for synthetic fertilizers.

2. Millet–Cowpea Intercropping (Sahel Region)

Countries: Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso

Practice: Growing cowpeas with pearl millet.

Nutritional Impact:

• Cowpeas add protein and vitamins (B1, B2, folate) to a millet-dominated diet.
• Supports child nutrition where stunting is prevalent.

Agronomic Benefits:

• Cowpeas improve soil fertility and moisture retention.
• Better drought resilience in drylands.

3. Sorghum–Pigeon Pea Intercropping (Mozambique, Malawi)

Nutritional Impact:

• Pigeon peas provide lysine (an essential amino acid), balancing the amino acid profile of sorghum.
• Improves maternal and child health diets, especially where meat is scarce.

Agronomic Benefits:

• Pigeon pea roots break hardpan soils, improving root penetration and water infiltration.

4. Sweet Potato–Amaranth or Pumpkin (Uganda, Rwanda)

Practice: Interplanting orange-fleshed sweet potato (rich in vitamin A) with amaranth or pumpkin.

Nutritional Impact:

• Tackles vitamin A deficiency—a major cause of childhood blindness.
• Adds leafy greens (iron, calcium) for better overall micronutrient intake.

5. Banana–Legume Systems (Great Lakes Region: Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda)

Practice: Growing beans or groundnuts beneath banana canopies.

Nutritional Impact:

• Boosts protein intake in high-banana-consumption zones.
• Legumes enhance iron and zinc levels in diet.

Agronomic Benefits:

• Legumes improve soil structure and fertility under banana plantations.

6. Neem and Medicinal Herbs with Staple Crops (West Africa)

Practice: Intercropping neem, basil, or moringa with cereals or vegetables.

Health & Nutrition Impact:

• Moringa leaves are rich in vitamins A, C, and calcium—used in child weaning foods.
• Neem and basil offer pest control and traditional medicinal value.