Abstract:
Riplines are commonly established at a spacing of 75cm X 30cm with one seed per hill for maize and 75cm X 10cm with two seeds per hill for beans. As soon as you have ripped, evenly apply fertilizer and/ or manure within the riplines. After application, cover the manure and fertilizer completely with soil to avoid contact with the seed. Sow the seed in the ripped opening with either a planting stick or hand hoe for rippers without planter attachment. Sow one maize seed every after 30cm within the ripline or two bean seeds every after 10cm. The method is widely used to reduce risk of crop failure due to unreliable rainfall. This strategy is a good option for smallholder farmers with animal draught power, intending to grow annual crops such as cereals and legumes.