ABSTRACT
This research has highlighted the challenges faced by smallholder rainfed subsistence
farmers in the studied area in the sub-Saharan region where several factors (e.g.
degrading soils, lack of resources to invest in farming systems, social and cultural
practices and harsh climatological conditions) combine to result in low yield levels for
the common crops which are grown in the region. Maize productivity has been
studied in this research because maize is the most popular staple food crop in the
region. It is assumed that other crops would behave in a similar manner under the
same conditions.
