Agronomic levers to increase maize and soybean productivity across the Chinyanja Triangle, southern Africa

This study characterizes maize and soybean production systems in the Chinyanja Triangle, a major agricultural region spanning parts of Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique, and evaluates opportunities to sustainably increase crop productivity. Maize is the principal staple crop in southern Africa, while soybean is rapidly expanding because of its economic and nutritional value. Using crop-cut measurements from 485 maize fields and 509 soybean fields, farmer surveys, climate and soil data, and simulations with the DSSAT crop model, the study assessed actual yields, yield gaps, and the main factors limiting production. Machine-learning approaches were applied to identify key drivers of yield variability and diagnose production constraints across locations. The study identifies practical agronomic interventions that can help reduce yield gaps and improve crop performance across diverse farming environments. These findings provide evidence to guide technology development, extension services, and agricultural investment strategies aimed at enhancing sustainable intensification, strengthening smallholder livelihoods, and improving regional food security in southern Africa.

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