Insights for enhancing gender equity and social inclusion through sustainable intensification of mixed farming systems of Malawi

Abstract

Gender-responsive agricultural innovations play a crucial role in empowering women, youth, and marginalized groups, enhancing benefits from sustainable intensification. In Malawi, the Mixed Farming Systems initiative has introduced legume and forage intercropping trials to diversify maize-based systems in Kasungu and Mzimba Districts. These trials optimize planting arrangements to integrate legumes and forages without compromising maize yields, aiming to address farmers diverse challenges. Feedback was collected from 42 farmers across gender and resource levels to refine these innovations based on farmers management needs and priorities. District-level multi-stakeholder workshops assessed integration opportunities with complementary innovations and partnerships for sustainable outcomes.

Applying the Sustainable Intensification Agricultural Framework (SIAF) revealed that intercropping can alleviate land constraints, with productivity gains and environmental sustainability as highest-rated outcomes. The improved intercropping practices fostered joint decision-making among women and men, balancing farming labor demands with off-farm income activities. While enhanced dietary diversity remained challenging, the integration of legumes supported more varied diets. However, socioeconomic barriers, such as limited surplus for sale, high input costs, and unfavorable markets, restricted profitability especially for resource-poor farmers. Strong partnerships for outreach are essential, linking these farmers to social protection programs and addressing capital and labor constraints. Value chain partnerships are needed that help improve access to inputs and markets, enhancing resilience. Collaboration with gender-focused organizations is important to foster inclusive training, input access, and labor-saving technologies. Effective support for knowledge generation, alongside the efforts of extension services, is crucial for promoting adoption and achieving sustainable intensification outcomes.