Report

Revealing Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions on Sustainable Intensification in Malawi

author(s) Meijer, Sanderijn - Cossu, Alessandra - Abera, Wuletawu - Desta, Lulseged - Mponela, Powell - López Ridaura, Santiago - Timler, Carl - Groot, Jeroen C.J.
from CGIAR - Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers
permalink open
themes
regions
  • Africa
  • World
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Eastern Africa
citation

Meijer, S., Cossu, A., Abera, W., Desta, L., Mponela, P., Lopez-Ridaura, S., Timler, C., Groot, J.C.J., 2023. Revealing Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions on Sustainable Intensification in Malawi, CGIAR research initiative on Mixed Farming Systems (MFS). CIMMYT.
Revealing Smallholder Farmers’ Perceptions on Sustainable Intensification in Malawi

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Abstract

Malawi, with a population density of around 20 million people, has 85% of its inhabitants living in rural areas, primarily depending on agriculture for their livelihoods (World Bank, 2022). The predominant cultivation of maize, a key staple crop, plays a role in soil degradation and nutrient exhaustion (Thierfelder et al., 2013). Smallholder farmers, who typically possess less than one hectare of land, encounter challenges in both accessing and affording inorganic fertilizers (Duchoslav & Rusike, 2021).

Previous research carried out by the project Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation (Africa RISING) on the sustainability of maize-based systems in Malawi has highlighted the challenges of declining soil fertility and limited farm size (IFPRI, 2015) and has primarily focused its research on improving farming systems through sustainable intensification (SI) interventions in specific districts of Malawi, such as Dedza and Ntcheu in Central Malawi (Africa RISING, 2018; IFPRI, 2015). However, there is a growing interest in expanding this research to other districts in order to capture the heterogeneity, gender differences, and develop context-specific solutions.

Building on the foundation laid by Africa RISING, the MFS initiative in Malawi aims to leverage the existing knowledge from the project to formulate and share locally tailored innovations specifically designed for mixed smallholder farmers. The primary objective of this thesis was to investigate the potential implementation of SI interventions in two central Malawian districts, Kasungu and Dedza.

To achieve a thorough comprehension, this research employed a participatory approach and incorporated a gender lens by exploring the objectives, perceived benefits, challenges, and barriers faced by smallholder farmers in implementing sustainable intensification interventions. The analysis considered the perceived differences between female and male farmers.

The primary goal of this study was to examine possible scenarios for farm redesign using the FarmDESIGN optimization model. This approach aimed to generate new configurations of farms, starting from the current situation. Additionally, the study incorporated participatory methods to engage with farmers, seeking to comprehend how they would evaluate and perceive the proposed redesigns and whether these could feasibly integrate into their existing farming systems.

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