In Malawi the agricultural sector drives the economy accounting for about 29 percent of GDP (CIA World factbook, 2018) and provides nearly 80% of employment (FAO 2015). Agricultural lands in Malawi make up roughly 47% of the total land area (FAO, 2013). Yet, food insecurity in Malawi remains widespread, especially among the rural poor. The 2016/17 production year saw about 6.7 million people, about half of Malawi’s rural population, being food insecure (need reference).
Strategic Approach
Six farmers at each EPA conducted the on-farm trials where the new technologies were tested. Therefore, a total of 36 farmers pioneered on-farm trials of CASI. The on-station long term trial was mounted at Chitala Research Station.
CASI was then scaled through government agencies and the extension services system which provides a conducive environment for public private partnerships to thrive. SIMLESA used agricultural innovation platforms (AIPs) as the main organizing and planning base for scaling CASI technologies. Farmer-managed on-farm trials were established to provide an opportunity for farmers to test and choose the best intensification options. Demonstrations, field days, exchange visits and farmer field schools were used to popularize and promote adoption of intensification options among farmers. Informational materials such as leaflets, flyers, posters and brochures complemented the extension. In addition, government programmes such as the Sustainable Agricultural Production Programme (SAPP) and Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) were used to promote SIMLESA technologies beyond the SIMLESA impact sites. In the 2016-17 season competitive grants were provided to 2 NGOs to assist in dissemination of CASI technologies which resulted in widespread awareness of the technologies and increased adoption of the same.
Some of our field experimental sites: