Pearl Millet–Groundnut Cropping Systems for the Sahel

Abstract

A two-year study of pearl millet–groundnut cropping systems across two fertilizer levels was conducted in Maradi, Niger, in the Sahelian zone of West Africa. The objective of this study was to identify the best cropping system with and without fertilizer application. The experiment was conducted with ten treatment combinations of five pearl millet and groundnut cropping systems (pearl millet and groundnut sole crops, and three pearl millet—groundnut intercrops) and two fertilizer levels. Yields were approximately 300 kg ha−1 higher in the 2022 high rainfall year than in 2021, but the year did not interact with cropping systems or fertilizer application. All the intercropping systems had an LER above 1.0, and land use efficiency increased by 19 to 41%. Fertilizer application increased yields in all cropping systems by 200 to 600 kg ha−1. The government subsidy increased the value-to-cost ratio by 0.5 to 2.5 units and was required for the economic response for pearl millet sole and intercrops in 2022. The groundnut sole cropping system had the greatest economic response to fertilizer application. Based on the risky environment and multiple end uses needed by producers, the intercrop system M-G: 1:3:1 with fertilizer application is the best option to optimize pearl millet and groundnut production.