The effect of intercropping maize with lablab on grain and fodder production in small holder dairy farming systems in Masaka district, Uganda

Abstract

In a farmer participatory process, farmers in Masaka district, Uganda, identified intensive dairy farming characterized by improved cattle breeds as potentially viable enterprise to enhance income of resource poor households . Inadequate feeds during the dry season is however a major constraint leading to low animal productivity. To alleviate this concern, a study on maize/lablab intercropping was done with the objective to evaluate the effects of intercropping forage legumes with maize on grain and fodder production. Results showed that maize/lablab intercropping increased (p<0.05) fodder , grain yields and cob size by 32; 7 ; and 6% compared to monocrops . Fodder and grain yields were 11 and 2% lower (p>0.05) in the short rain season than in long rain season. Crude protein (CP) content and CPY increased (p<0.05) 1.2 and 2.2 times in intercrops than monocrops (4% CP and 175 kg/ha). Overall, this study revealed that lablab could be introduced as a component crop in maize cropping systems to improve fodder and food availability.