Impact of agroecological practices on yield and resilience of maize under drought stress in smallholder farms

Project Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of agroecological practices in enhancing maize yield and resilience under drought stress among smallholder farmers in [region/country]. A multi-site experimental design was implemented across representative farming communities to compare conventional farming methods with agroecological interventions that emphasize soil health, biodiversity, and resource efficiency. Treatments included cover cropping, compost and manure management, mulching, intercropping with leguminous and non-leguminous species, agroforestry alley cropping, biological pest control, and water harvesting techniques, implemented singularly and in integrated combinations. Data were collected over two growing seasons on plot- and farm-level metrics, including grain yield, above- and below-ground biomass, phenological development, soil moisture retention, soil organic carbon, microbial activity, and nutrient use efficiency. Resilience indicators encompassed performance under experimentally induced drought periods, measured by time-to-withdrawal of reproductive growth, yield stability across years, and recovery rate after stress events. Socioeconomic dimensions were captured through farmer interviews and cost-benefit analyses to assess adoption viability, labor requirements, input accessibility, and perceived risks. The results showed that agroecological treatments significantly increased yield stability and overall grain yield under drought compared to conventional practices, with integrated systems—combining mulching, intercropping, compost application, and water harvesting—yielding the largest improvements. Mechanistically, improved soil structure and organic matter content enhanced infiltration and moisture retention, while diversified niches supported beneficial soil biota and natural pest suppression, reducing crop losses from biotic pressure that often accompanies drought stress. Intercropping with leguminous species contributed to nitrogen fixation and improved soil fertility, enabling maize to maintain higher photosynthetic efficiency during water limitation. Water harvesting structures reduced irrigation demand and buffered groundwater fluctuations, thereby sustaining crop growth during terminal drought phases. Economic analyses indicated favorable net returns and payback periods for farmers adopting integrated agroecological packages, particularly when facilitated by extension services and cooperative input sharing. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the benefits were robust to moderate fluctuations in input costs and weather variability but were sensitive to initial soil conditions and farm size, underscoring the need for site-specific adaptation. The study also identified potential barriers to adoption, including conventional mindset, land tenure constraints, and limited access to quality biomass resources, which can be mitigated through policy incentives, training programs, and community-led demonstration plots. Overall, the findings demonstrate that agroecological practices can enhance maize yield and resilience under drought stress in smallholder systems, contributing to food security, climate resilience, and sustainable rural livelihoods. Recommendations include promoting integrated agroecological packages, prioritizing soil health management, establishing farmer field schools, and scaling through participatory breeding and local input networks to tailor practices to local agroecologies and socio-economic contexts.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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A plain-language overview of the topic and what the project investigates.

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The Problem It Addresses

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What problem or gap this project tackles and why it matters to the field or society.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Identify agroecological practices that help maize tolerate drought.
2. Compare yields and resilience between conventional and agroecological methods on smallholder farms.
3. Explain how soil health, water management, and biodiversity influence maize performance under stress.
4. Provide practical recommendations for farmers and extension workers.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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1. Review existing literature on agroecology and drought tolerance in maize.
2. Design a simple field trial on a smallholder plot or farmer partner site.
3. Implement agroecological practices (e.g., crop rotation, cover crops, mulching, rainwater harvesting).
4. Collect data on maize growth, yield, and indicators of resilience (survival, regrowth, yield stability).
5. Analyze data using basic statistics to compare treatments.
6. Interpret results in light of practical farming constraints.

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Expected Outcome

1. Clear understanding of which agroecological practices improve yield and drought resilience in maize.
2. Simple guidelines for farmers to adopt effective practices during dry periods.