Economic Viability of Mucuna Intercropped with Maize Cropping System in Muheza District

Abstract

Mucuna (Mucuna puriens) intercropping with maize is one of the alternatives to revive the declining maize production caused by low soil fertility and pest infestation. However, there is paucity of knowledge on the economic viability of the technology being  studied.  This  research assessed the maize yields, variable costs and economic viability of adopting mucuna-maize intercropping in Muheza district, Tanzania. A total of 400 farmers were selected randomly (200 farmers who adopted mucuna intercropped with maize and 200 farmers growing maize after maize (continuous cropping). The Partial Budgeting approach was used to determine the net change in income when farmers decide to switch from continuous cropping. The results indicated that switching from continuous maize cropping to Mucuna intercropped with maize resulted in a positive net change in income of TZS 235,304.60/ha. The study concluded that mucuna intercropped with maize is economically viable. The use of mucuna intercropped with maize is hereby recommended to farmers.