Mucuna (Velvetbean) Cover Cropping in Benin

Location: Mono Province, Southern Benin

Mucuna (velvetbean) is a regenerative plant that was introduced in Southern Benin in the late 1980s. Interplanted with corn and used as green manure, Mucuna fixes nitrogen, adds biomass to the soil, prevents erosion, and helps reduce weeds. Mucuna was successfully incorporated into farm systems in Benin through education of farmers, and rapidly resulted in higher maize yields.