LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The use of organic fertilizer is said to be key in restoring soil fertility for farm land’ yields increase and production.
This is attainable with the use of wastes for compost manure production.
Centre for Environmental Policy and Advocacy (CEPA)’s Promoting Organic Systems of Soil Improvement to Build a Lasting Economy (POSSIBLE) project implementation in rural Lilongwe and Blantyre has proven to be best approach in restoring soil health for yields production hence an appeal in Agriculture Inputs Program (AIP) inclusion.
During the media tour on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Chitedze, Chimamba Villlage, Traditional Authority (T.A) Njerwa in rural Lilongwe, farmers lauded CEPA’s POSSIBLE project for maximising their yields.
The tour aimed at appreciating soil intervention initiatives emphasizing the need for increased implementation of soil composition practices at Pfumvudza Plot and other manure concentration sites in the area.
At site, Gospel to All Farmers’ manager Kolinto Sadoni hailed project through waste advisers for the provision of lesson and training on soil organic matter restoration and west-to-compost systems interventions.
Sadoni lauded that since he started producing and using compost manure in 2021, his family managed to restore soil fertility in his farm land and increased yields.
He therefore appealed for shift of mind to embrace the use of organic fertilizers if the country considers maintaining soil health and plant nutrition.
“Malawi government through Ministry of Agriculture should intervene with massive awareness campaign to farmers on importance of manure usage.
“This must be promoted across the country when implementing AIP as its working to promote soil health and plant nutrition,” appeals Sadoni.
Echoing the same, CEPA POSSIBLE Project Coordinator Tamala Mataka, appealed for organic fertilizer inclusion in AIP for the country’s enhanced agriculture sustainability and food security.
Mataka observes that through the intervention Malawi can address declining soil fertility.
She noted further that Malawi has reached a tipping point where soil organic matter is below a minimum threshold for supporting crop productivity.
Mataka therefore appealed for enhanced collaboration to ensure there are established waste management systems from city councils specifically Lilongwe and Blantyre.
She also observes that mismanagement of waste has led into increased food scarcity and increased waste generation rates largely contributing to pollution and GHG emission making Malawi vulnerable to food insecurity.
“You might wish to agree with me that almost 80 percent of the waste which is generated in the urban cities is organic which is vital in soil health improvement.
“So, the project took advantage of that to make sure that we are turning these wastes into compost manure that can be used for crop productivity but also to restore soil health in Malawi,” said Mataka.
With financial support from European Union (EU), CEPA is implementing POSSIBLE project in partnership with Waste Advisers while targeting over 1,000 smallholder farmers from Lilongwe and Blantyre.
