traditional knowledge, Evans, cited reference, Although inter-cropping (IC) is widely practiced in rank that practical small -- scale agricultural and agricultural research scientist have not systematically explored. The rationale for and have rarely attempted to improve it. Instead, they have concentrated on planting crops computer stands an extension advice has been to replace. IC with peer strands. This has reduced the impact of the research and extension activities. A review of East Africa experience from the 1930s, considers reasons for the research concentration on Pier stand planting and reveals two phases one formal experiments on IC were carried out. Despite generally favorable results, neither of these lead to, including IC an extension, advised to farmers. IC can contribute to one more of five, and objectives of small-scale farmers, but the standard design of agronomic experiments at best of takes account of only one of these, so that benefits are underestimated the erroneous policy conclusions drawn the paper advocates, enter alia, bolted disciplinary research for small-scale agriculture and active participation by farmers themselves.