The Ancient Wisdom Modern Farmers Are Rediscovering

In Zambia’s Rufunsa District, Ms. Dorcas Shonga has been planting maize, sweet potatoes, groundnuts , chili and beans together on the same land for over 25 years. When younger farmers asked why she mixes different crops instead of planting just one, she simply smiled and showed them her healthy, green fields. While nearby farms that only grow one crop often face pests and poor soil, her mixed crops continue to do well every year.

What Ms. Shonga has been doing for years is now supported by science: growing different crops together known as companion planting is not just an old tradition. It is a smart way to keep the soil healthy, reduce pests naturally and get better harvests from the same piece of land.

The Problem: Single Crops, Multiple Challenges

Many African farmers face a frustrating cycle:

• Depleted soils requiring expensive fertilisers
• Persistent pest problems demanding costly chemicals
• Declining yields despite increased inputs
• Rising production costs are eating into profits

The root cause? Monoculture farming disrupts nature’s balance, creating an environment where pests thrive and soil life dies.

The Solution: Let Plants Work Together

Companion planting harnesses natural plant relationships to create farming systems that improve themselves over time. When you plant the right combinations, your crops become partners, each contributing to the health and productivity of the others.

The Science Behind Plant Partnerships

Plants communicate through their roots, sharing nutrients and information. Some relationships are particularly powerful:

Nitrogen Fixation: Legumes capture nitrogen from the air and make it available to neighbouring plants.

 Pest Deterrence: Aromatic plants confuse and repel harmful insects.

Soil Improvement: Deep-rooted plants bring minerals to the surface while shallow-rooted ones protect topsoil.

Space Optimisation: Tall and short plants use different soil layers and light levels

Proven Companion Combinations for African Crops

The “Three Sisters” – African Style

Maize + Beans + Pumpkin

• How it works: Maize provides support for climbing beans, beans fix nitrogen for maize, pumpkin leaves shade the soil and deter pests
• Benefits: 40% higher yields, reduced fertiliser needs, natural pest control
• Planting pattern: Plant maize first, add beans 2 weeks later, plant pumpkin around the edges

Tomato Power Partnerships

Tomatoes + Basil + Marigolds

• How it works: Basil improves tomato flavour and repels aphids, marigolds deter nematodes
• Benefits: Healthier tomatoes, reduced pest damage, continuous harvest
• Spacing: Plant basil 30cm from tomatoes and marigold borders around the plot

Tomatoes + Carrots + Onions

• How it works: Carrots loosen soil for tomato roots, onions repel many common pests
• Benefits: Better root development, natural pest management
• Pattern: Alternate rows or plant in clusters

Traditional African Crop Combinations

Sorghum + Cowpeas + Groundnuts

• Benefits: Drought resilience, soil nitrogen increase, diverse nutrition
• Best for: Semi-arid regions

Sweet Potato + Maize + Pigeon Peas

• Benefits: Living mulch, nitrogen fixation, pest confusion
• Ideal for: Hillside farming

The Nitrogen-Fixing Miracle: Understanding Legumes

How Legumes Feed Your Soil

Legumes host special bacteria in root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into plant-available forms. This natural process:

• Reduces fertilizer costs by 30-50%
• Improves soil structure
• Increases organic matter
• Benefits crops for 2-3 seasons after harvest

Best Nitrogen-Fixing Partners

For Maize Fields:

• Cowpeas (vigna)
• Common beans
• Groundnuts
• Pigeon peas

For Vegetable Gardens:

• Bush beans
• Garden peas
• Lablab beans

Simple Strategies for Smallholder Success

The Strip Method

Plant crops in alternating strips:

• 2 rows maize
• 1 row beans
• 2 rows maize
• 1 row vegetables

Benefits: Easy management, clear boundaries, flexible harvesting

The Cluster Approach

Create small mixed plots within larger fields:

• Corner clusters of pest-repelling plants
• Central food crop with beneficial companions
• Border plants for additional protection

The Seasonal Sequence

Plan companion relationships across seasons:

• Season 1: Nitrogen-fixing legumes
• Season 2: Heavy feeders (maize, tomatoes)
• Season 3: Light feeders (root vegetables)

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge: Plants competing for space. Solution: Use vertical growing with trellises and stakes

Challenge: Different watering needs. Solution: Group plants with similar water requirements

Challenge: Harvesting complications. Solution: Plan harvest timing and access paths

Take Action: Start Your Companion Journey

This Week:

1. Choose one companion combination to try
2. Source appropriate seeds
3. Prepare a small test plot

This Season:

1. Implement your chosen strategy
2. Monitor and document results
3. Connect with other companion planting farmers

Next Year:

1. Expand successful combinations
2. Try new plant partnerships
3. Share knowledge with farming neighbours

Join the Living Soil Movement

Companion planting is not just about growing different crops together, it is about creating living ecosystems that sustain themselves and improve over time. Your farm can become a model of natural fertility and pest resistance.

Download the Knowledge piece below for more details on companion planting.

Author: Rabecca Mwila

Rabecca Mwila is a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship. With a background in climate change and communications, she has spent years telling the untold stories of the realities of climate change, environmental and climate injustices and how they affect vulnerable communities in Africa and beyond.