The project, Maize/Cowpea Cultivation, commenced the 10-year growth plan for Agrihome.
Adopting the no-till technology on a maize/cowpea intercrop field was the most suitable considering the ideals of Agrihome. The technology helps to improve and maintain soil structure whiles helping to manage weeds. The field, established at Twedie in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of Ashanti, faced a couple of challenges particularly low amount of rainfall during cob formation.
Activities carried out under Maize/Cowpea Cultivation
|
No. | ACTIVITY | DATE |
| 1 | Land preparation | 11/05/2015 |
| 2 | Weedicide application | 26/05/2015 |
| 3 | Laying-out | 04/06/2015 |
| 4 | Planting | 04/06/2015 |
| 5 | Fertilizer application | 19/06/2015 |
| 6 | Refilling | 19/06/2015 |
| 7 | Weedicide application | 23/06/2015 |
| 8 | Planting of cowpea | 25/06/2015 |
| 9 | Harvesting of cowpea | 18/09/2015 |
| 10 | Harvesting of maize | 03/10/2015 |
HARVEST
Maize yield = 8 bags * 100 kg out of the expected 15 bags * 100 kg.
Cowpea yield = 4bags * 50 kg in addition to its nnitrogen-fixingbenefits and weed control.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- The adoption of conservation agriculture helped to avoid total crop failure.
- Irrigation to make up for prolonged dry spells and enable off-season cropping.
- Intensify monitoring of projects.
CONCLUSION
Harvest fell 47% below the expected (15.0 bags x 100kg) for maize. The purpose for cowpea as an intercrop was to control weeds and that was perfectly served besides yielding 4.0bags x 50kg. Project success is rated average. Agrihome, growing from here, will adopt the best technologies and work towards providing the required logistics to ensure optimum productivity.
