Maize yields in Eastern and Southern Africa can be improved by using different cropping systems. On-farm trials showed that conservation agriculture methods like intercropping and rotation can increase maize productivity compared to traditional practices. In highlands, intercropping was most effective, while rotation worked best in lowlands. Maize yields were highest when grown with groundnut or common bean under conservation agriculture. Intercropping maize with pigeon pea or rotating with groundnut had the biggest yield advantages. Overall, integrating legumes into maize farming systems can help smallholder farmers in Africa improve their maize yields.