Maize and mungbean were the selected model crops, for major and minor seasons respectively. Maize is the most widely cultivated upland cereal in this region, and mungbean the major short season legume in both uplands and lowlands in minor seasons. Mungbean was the selected ahead cowpea and black gram on farmers’ preference and their short term duration (60–70 days). The majority of farmers broadcast mungbean with the onset of minor season rains and manage with low levels of input and simultaneously avoid the late season droughts.