Malawian Farmers Embrace Organic and Compost Manure to Offset Rising Fertilizer Costs
Compost manure production has proven to be a practical and sustainable option for farmers in the Senior Chief Namkumba area and throughout the country.
Mangochi, Malawi - As Malawi grapples with a surge in the cost of inorganic fertilizers, farmers in the region of Senior Chief Namkumba, located in Mangochi district, have turned to organic and compost manure alternatives to boost their crop yields, writes Ernest Mfunya.
This shift in farming practices has been made possible through the Titukulane project, funded by USAID, which provides training to farmers on how to create compost using locally available resources.
Bonjesi Hoseya, a farmer in Senior Chief Namkumba's area, shared that in the past, he struggled to provide for his family despite cultivating various crops on his one-and-a-half hectares of land.
His maize and vegetable yields were consistently low, leading to food insecurity and financial difficulties.
Hoseya noted, "The soil in my area is not fertile due to overuse, which has led to my family's ongoing struggles with poor income and food shortages."
However, the Titukulane project brought about positive changes by raising awareness and training farmers on composting methods.
Hoseya explained, "I have learned a lot through the project, and I am now able to make compost and organic manure, resulting in a significant improvement in my harvests."
He added, "To make compost, we use leaves, dry or green grass, livestock dung, vegetable peelings, and crop residues. Various composting methods are available, and in our area, farmers prefer a technique in which the compost's exterior is coated with mud to conserve moisture and accelerate the composting process."
Rebecca Elias, a farmer from Lija village, previously relied solely on chemical fertilizers when her husband could afford them.
However, her situation changed after her divorce due to financial constraints. Since adopting compost on her farm, Elias has nearly doubled her maize harvest from 10 to 20 bags.
She said, "I also apply compost in my cassava field, resulting in higher yields that I can sell to meet other household needs. I can now send my children to school with the proceeds from selling cassava."
Edward Mwale, another farmer, emphasized that compost manure has the potential to combat hunger and enhance food security in the region, which has faced persistent challenges. Mwale increased his compost manure production and expanded into cash crop cultivation and livestock farming.
"Crops and animals complement each other. I use animal dung for making manure and crop residues as animal feed," he explained. "Raising livestock has improved my family's income and nutritional security. I sell eggs and milk, which provide additional income and nutritious food."
Martha Kaduya, another farmer, attributed her success to the Titukulane project, agricultural extension workers, and lead farmers.
She expressed gratitude for the valuable advice and agricultural technologies she learned, which transformed her farming practices.
Compost manure production has proven to be a practical and sustainable option for farmers in the Senior Chief Namkumba area and throughout the country, contributing to increased food production and security.