Smallholder farmers commonly use maize and bean intercropping to increase soil nitrogen and enhance agricultural productivity. If intercropped, the choice of the legume intercrop should be based on presence of soil and climatic conditions that meet the requirements of both maize and the legume of choice. Maize-legume systems usually produce less maize than maize monoculture but provide higher economic returns. Higher land productivity makes maize-legume systems especially suitable for smallholders. Intercropping maize with legumes also increases land utility and regulates pests.
