Abstract
Abstract In order to enhance sustainable intensification of potato-based cropping systems, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there is a need to investigate the economic viability of investing in this lucrative venture. This study evaluated the economic returns under legume intercropping systems using value/cost ratio (VCR) and benefit/cost ratio (BCR) under treatments comprising of potato intercropped with dolichos (Lablab purpureus L.) (P-D), climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) (P-B) and garden pea (Pisum sativum L.) (P-G), and a potato pure stand control (P-S). Across the seasons, tuber yield was not significantly (p < 0.05) affected by intercropping with P-D, whereas under P-B and P-G, it decreased by 19% and 16%, respectively compared to P-S. P-G, P-B and P-D recorded 6, 7 and 12% higher potato equivalent yield (PEY) relative to P-S. P-D was the most profitable intercropping system with VCR of 35 and BCR of 5.1 as compared to values recorded in P-S of 31 and 5, respectively. Regression of VCR against PEY resulted in a stronger coefficient (0.98) compared to that of BCR against PEY (0.82) implying that VCR is a simple tool that could be adopted for economic returns to investment studies such as potato-legume inter-cropping systems.
Highlights
Low crop production is jeopardising food security, in Africa, where the population is projected to increase exponentially from the current 1.2 billion to 1.7 and 2.5 billion by 2030 and 2050, respectively (UNDESA, 2017)
The type of potato-legume intercrop had significant (p < 0.05) effect on potato equivalent yield (PEY), gross and net income, value/cost ratio and benefit/ cost ratio, but these differences fluctuated from season to season (Table 2)
The significantly highest and lowest potato equivalent yield values were recorded in P-D (40 t ha−1) and pure stand control (P-S) (35 t ha−1), respectively whereas an intermediate value of 38 t ha−1 was observed in P-G and P-B
Summary
Low crop production is jeopardising food security, in Africa, where the population is projected to increase exponentially from the current 1.2 billion to 1.7 and 2.5 billion by 2030 and 2050, respectively (UNDESA, 2017). Through efficient utilization of resources like land, soil nutrients, light and water, intercropping systems have been proved to be yielding higher relative to mono culture systems (Singh et al 2016; Gitari et al 2018). This is important given that potato is considered a heavy nutrient feeder crop ( for nitrogen) of which about 50% comes from inorganic fertilizers (Gitari 2018; Rens et al 2018). In SSA, fertilizer use is often constrained as farmers have meagre financial capacity, and they are inadequately informed, which make them
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