Sustainable Agriculture Extension Manual

The Machobane farming system in Lesotho

The Machobane farming system is an intensive cropping system, using crop rotation, relay cropping, and intercropping practices. It was developed by James Machobane during the 1950s. Although he had no formal agricultural training, Mr Machobane developed a very complex, integrated farming system designed to improve the productivity of small-scale farmers in Lesotho. The Rural Self-help Development Association, a local NGO, is promoting the Machobane system (see Credit for farm activities).

Key features of the Machobane system

The Machobane system includes at least seven basic crops commonly grown in Lesotho: maize, potatoes, sorghum, wheat, peas, beans and curcubits (pumpkins and melons). These crops are relay-intercropped in a 1-acre (0.4 ha) plot. The cropping pattern allows food crops to be produced almost all the year round. It reduces the likelihood of total crop failure because of pests or bad weather. The Machobane farming system takes these basic principles into account:

• The use of organic fertilizers.
• Perennial vegetation cover.
• Cropping pattern adequate to the varying climate.
• Natural pest control.
• Relay harvesting allowing for almost year-round harvest.

Although the specifics of this farming system may be appropriate only in the temperate climate of Lesotho, many of the principles outlined here are also applicable to smallholder farming areas in tropical Africa.

Use of organic fertilizers

Many farmers in Lesotho have aimed to maximize their profits by using inorganic fertilizers. However, this can result in short and long-term environmental degradation. Inorganic fertilizers can disrupt the natural plant growth and development and reduce the natural protection mechanisms against pests and diseases.

The Machobane system uses animal manure and wood ash as fertilizer. For the initial land preparation, approximately 300 wheelbarrowfuls are used per hectare (120 per acre; 1 wheelbarrow contains about 25 kg). Depending upon the type of soil, different mixtures of organic material are applied, as shown in the table on the previous page.

About the same amount of organic matter is applied to the field before each cropping season. By the fourth year, the fertility of the soil will have improved, and less organic fertilizer will be needed each cropping season.

Perennial vegetative cover

The Machobane system ensures complete crop cover throughout the year, because winter crops (eg, wheat and peas) are planted in April–May (for harvest in January–March), and summer crops (eg, maize, beans and sorghum) are planted in August–October (for harvest in November–December). Because the system uses minimum tillage (complete ploughing of the field is only done once every 5 years), soil movement is minimized. Crop residues are left in the field, allowing humus to build up. Because there are always crops in the field, grazing of livestock is not possible.

Cropping pattern in August. Wheat and peas are planted in April–May, and the potatoes are added in August.

Cropping pattern adapted to varying climate

Lesotho’s climate is temperate, with a warm summer and a cool winter. Late or early frosts, hail and seasonal drought are not uncommon. The Machobane system allows for the planting of cool-weather crops, such as peas, wheat and potatoes, which perform well in the winter conditions. In the summer months, maize, beans, pumpkins and other crops are intercropped. However, because Lesotho can experience drought in the summer, drought-resistant crops like sorghum (aptly known as the “camel of the plant kingdom”) are also planted to reduce the risk of crop failure.

Seedbed preparation and planting

In the first planting season, the 0.4 ha (1 acre) field is ploughed. The plot is then harrowed or disked to prepare the soil completely. A spade or hoe can be used to make the furrows or rows where the seed is to be planted. In April, the winter crops (wheat and peas) are planted. A double row of wheat is planted, with 30 cm between the two rows. Then a gap of 2 m is left, and a double row of peas is planted, again with 30 cm between the rows. Then comes another gap of 2 m, followed by a double row of wheat, a 2-m gap, another of peas, and so on (Picture 1).

In August, the first batch of potatoes is planted in the 2-m gaps between the rows of

Cropping pattern in October. Maize, beans and sorghum are planted in between the maturing rows of wheat (or peas). Every 4 m, pumpkin or watermelon is planted.

wheat and peas; only half of the field is planted at this time. Starting in November, the rest of the field is planted with a second batch of potatoes.

In October, the summer crops are planted in a complex intercropping pattern of maize, beans, sorghum, pumpkin and watermelon. In the 30-cm spaces between the double rows of wheat and peas, a single furrow is dug. Maize and beans are planted in this furrow, with 30 cm between the maize plants, and 15 cm between the beans.

Every 4 m, two pumpkin seeds are added to the maize and bean hill. In every other row, watermelon is planted rather than pumpkin. Finally, sorghum is sown along the entire furrow (Picture 2). After the first batch of potatoes are harvested in December, vegetables such as rape, cabbage, and spinach can be planted.

Crop management practices

Earthing the potatoes

The first earthing is done when the potatoes are at their first stage of flowering. A very small quantity of soil is gathered around the plant at this time. The second earthing is done at the second budding: a little more soil is ridged around the plant. The third earthing is done at the third budding, and ridging is done to cover half the plant with soil. With the fourth earthing, two-thirds of the plant is covered with the soil.

Natural pest control

Natural pest control is encouraged in the system, while chemical pesticides are discouraged. Since some crops act as natural repellents to certain insects, the intercropping practice contributes to pest control. The deliberate crop rotation helps to break the life-cycle of insect pests. Regular weeding throughout the year helps to control pests and diseases. Also, some plants can create an unsuitable environment for insects; for example, the pumpkin plant has hair which is irritating. Pest-control home remedies may also be used.

Relay intercropping

The relay intercropping practice offers many advantages. For example, because the crops are sown at different times there is little competition during the growing period. Time spent weeding one crop helps prepare the soil for the crop that will follow. Available land is maximized with the production of several species.

Relay harvesting

The relay intercropping system allows for staggered harvesting of crops throughout the year (Picture 4). The winter crop of peas can be harvested in November (as green peas) and in March (as grains). Wheat is harvested starting in January. The first batch of potatoes is harvested from late November to March; the second batch is harvested starting in April. The potatoes are harvested as soon as the leaves and stems have become dry.

Harvesting the large number of summer crops begins late in the year. Green maize can be harvested in December–January, and green beans in December–February. Watermelons can be harvested starting in February. From March to May, pumpkins should be harvested. Beans in grain form are harvested from April to the end of June; rape, cabbage, and spinach can be harvested during the same period. Grain or dry maize and sorghum are harvested in June–July.

No machinery is used for harvesting. Potatoes are harvested with a spade or a digging fork. All other crops are harvested by hand. —For more information, contact Tsepozi Mathamba, RSDA, Lesotho.

Crop calender for the Machobane farming system

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