This research brief outlines the steps to shift from intensive maize monocropping to multi-species systems through the integration of perennial crops (coffee, banana..). The findings identify specific windows of opportunity for promoting new agricultural practices among smallholder farmers.
Enhancing agrobiodiversity can generate profitable incomes while delivering multiple ecosystem services. However, in a context of degraded soil due to decades of intensive maize production, restoring soil fertility is an urgent priority to support the successful establishment of diversified and sustainable cropping systems.