Innovation – Reducing diseases, improving soil health and nutrient management through the integration of indigenous vegetables intercropped with tomatoes and cabbage

Research trial demonstration day at GART (Zambia)

On 10 January 2025, the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) successfully hosted a Research Trial Demonstration Day at its research farm in Chisamba, Zambia. The event showcased the progress of trials conducted under COLEAD’s Fit For Market Plus programme in partnership with GART.

The primary objective of this research is to explore the potential benefits of integrating underutilised crops, such as Cleome and Amaranthus, into established tomato and cabbage production systems. These trials, conducted in commercial farming environments, aim to determine whether intercropping these native vegetables can effectively reduce disease and pests, improve soil health and nutrient management, while providing an additional source of income for farmers. The study also focuses on the agronomic efficiency of these integrated systems, particularly in terms of nutrient and water use efficiency. Ultimately, the aim is to adapt and promote intercropping practices at the local level and encourage their adoption within traditional tomato and cabbage production systems, which often rely on continuous monocropping.

Organised in collaboration with COLEAD’s Research & Innovation Brokerage Department and Kabuza Consultancy, this initiative brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from government ministries, NGOs, academic institutions, seed companies and farmer groups from different regions.

After an introduction to the roles of GART and COLEAD, the objectives and methodology of the trial were presented. A guided field tour gave participants a first-hand look at the experimental plots, showing different intercropping configurations, drip irrigation techniques and pest management practices. Participants actively engaged in discussions and shared their observations during a feedback session.

Feedback from participants highlighted the potential of intercropping Cleome and Amaranthus to increase farmers’ incomes and improve the nutritional quality of crops. Key considerations raised included spacing requirements, the need for further trials in different regions and the commercial scalability of this intercropping system. The event also generated interest from academic institutions for future collaboration. Stakeholder engagement on trial objectives, practical applications and farmer concerns is critical to refining these alternative production practices and promoting their wider adoption.

The event concluded with a summary of key takeaways and a call for increased collaboration to further develop and scale up these practices. The overwhelming support from stakeholders underscores the key role that underutilised vegetables can play in transforming agricultural systems towards greater sustainability and profitability.

We thank all participants for their enthusiasm and contributions and look forward to sharing the final results of these trials in the coming months!

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.