At Monana Organic Limited, we’re always looking for ways to help smallholder farmers in Zambia maximize productivity, profitability, and sustainability. One proven strategy is intercropping—planting two crops together on the same piece of land.
In this post, we explain how intercropping sunflowers with soybeans can help you farm more efficiently, boost your harvest, and care for your soil at the same time.
Why Intercrop Sunflowers and Soybeans?
Intercropping means planting two or more crops together to make better use of space, improve yields, and lower risks. For Zambian smallholder farmers, intercropping sunflowers and soybeans is especially beneficial.
Here’s why this combination works:
1. Increase Yields by Over 50%
Studies show that intercropping sunflower varieties like Isaanka or Record with soybean varieties like TGx 1448-2E or TGx 1440-1E can increase yields by up to 58% compared to growing them separately (Olowe & Adebimpe, 2009).
2. Natural Soil Fertility from Soybeans
Soybeans are legumes that naturally fix nitrogen in the soil. When intercropped, they provide the nutrients sunflowers need to thrive—reducing your need for fertilizer and improving long-term soil health.
3. Make Better Use of Your Land
The land equivalent ratio (LER) for intercropping sunflower with soybeans is between 1.47 and 1.58, meaning you can get up to 58% more value per hectare compared to planting them separately.
Suggested layout:
- 2 rows of sunflower
- 4 rows of soybean
- Row spacing: 60 cm
This setup gives each crop enough space to grow well without competing too much.
4. Drought and Pest Resistance
Sunflowers are naturally drought-tolerant, helping to reduce moisture loss from the soil. Their large leaves also help protect soybeans from sun exposure and pests—reducing the need for expensive sprays and irrigation.
How to Get Started on Your Farm
Here’s how you can implement this on your own farm:
-
Choose the right varieties:
Sunflower – Isaanka, Record
Soybeans – TGx 1448-2E, TGx 1440-1E -
Plant at the right time:
Start at the beginning of the rainy season (Nov–Dec) for best moisture and germination. -
Spacing:
Sunflowers: 60 x 30 cm
Soybeans: 60 x 5 cm -
Monitor your crops:
Check regularly for pests and weeds. Intercropping requires more attention—but gives better rewards!
Grow Smarter with Monana Organic Limited
Intercropping is more than just a method—it’s a path toward sustainable and profitable farming for smallholder farmers in Zambia.
- Higher yields
- Lower input costs
- Better soil health
- More money in your pocket
Ready to Get Started?
Visit our Grow with Us page or contact us for more tips and guidance on how you can get started with sunflower farming, intercropping and make the most out of your farm. Together, we can nurture nature, empower communities, and grow towards a brighter future!
Looking for more ways to farm smarter?
Check out our other blog post:
For more insights on intercropping techniques, see our post on Maximizing Agricultural Yields: The Advantages of Intercropping Sunflowers in Zambian Farming Techniques and our detailed look at intercropping sunflower with beans, maize, groundnuts, and sorghum.
References
- Elobu et al. (2016): Study on the benefits of intercropping sunflower with other crops.
- Olowe & Adebimpe (2009): Findings on intercropping efficiencies and crop benefits.