By Martin Mbewe
Fertilizer plays an important role in the world of agriculture, igniting excitement and ushering in a host of benefits to farmers. This chemical enhances the soil’s fertility and nurtures the growth of crops, ultimately resulting in more harvests.
For generations, farmers worldwide have harnessed the power of fertilizers to elevate agricultural production and boost their yields.
Fertilizers come in two primary categories: organic and inorganic. Organic fertilizers, deriving from natural sources like compost, cattle manure, poultry droppings, and domestic sewage, provide a holistic approach to soil enrichment.
In contrast, inorganic fertilizers, also known as synthetic fertilizers, are human-made concoctions infused with minerals and synthetic chemicals. In countries like Malawi, where agriculture stands as the backbone of the economy, fertilizers are deemed essential.
According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), smallholder farmers constitute 80 percent of Malawi’s population. These farmers rely on synthetic fertilizers annually to cultivate staple crops like maize.
Regrettably, the cost of accessing inorganic fertilizers in Malawi often exceeds the financial means of many smallholder farmers, a substantial portion of whom live on less than US$1 a day.
A recent story by the Times Group, a Malawian media company, reveals that fertilizer prices in the local market range from 65,000 Kwacha to 80,000 Kwacha per 50-kilogram bag, which equates to about US$80.
Consequently, most smallholder farmers find themselves unable to afford chemical fertilizers. Moreover, the number of farmers supported by the Affordable Input Programme (AIP)-formerly the Farm Input Subsidy Program, (FISP) is insufficient to make a meaningful impact on improving livelihoods and food security at the household level, further worsening hunger and poverty in Malawi.
As the rainy season approaches, a period crucial for crop cultivation, only a select few farmers will have access to fertilizer due to the Ministry of Agriculture’s announcement that only 1.5 million farmers will benefit from the Affordable Input Programme.
Disturbingly, the 2023 IPC analysis by Relief Web reveals that 3 million Malawians, representing 15 percent of the total population, are grappling with acute food insecurity.
This alarming statistic poses a significant obstacle to Malawi’s aspiration to achieve food security by 2063. Malawi, a member of the African Union, committed to the collective goal of eliminating hunger and food insecurity across the continent by 2025, as per a report by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA).
Given the present circumstances, Malawi’s prospects of meeting this goal by 2025 seem bleak unless alternative strategies for local fertilizer production are adopted.
It is high time for our nation to shift its reliance away from synthetic fertilizers and towards organic alternatives sourced from materials such as compost, manure, and domestic waste.
Organic fertilizers enrich soil texture, enhance water retention, and bolster bacterial and fungal activity, making the soil more conducive to agriculture. In contrast, synthetic fertilizers deplete the soil’s natural nutrients, rendering it unproductive.
We must encourage and educate farmers on the production and application of organic manure in their fields to boost crop yields. Organic farming experts, such as graduates and professionals from institutions like the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), should join this effort to provide training to farmers.
This collaborative effort can significantly enhance agricultural production, alleviate hunger, and reduce poverty, which has afflicted many Malawians.
In a country where hunger persists, true development remains elusive, for access to food is a fundamental human right. Adequate food access generates far-reaching benefits, including economic growth, and job creation, all of which align with the Malawi Agenda 2063’s vision of becoming an inclusive, prosperous, and self-reliant industrialized upper-middle-income country by 2063, where our development needs are primarily funded by ourselves. Organic fertilizer production, therefore, stands as a critical component of this journey.
While discussing avenues to bridge the gap, commendation is due to the Malawian government for its efforts in promoting the use of compost manure.
The Ministry of Agriculture annually promotes compost manure through the Manure Making Launch Event, inspiring farmers to embrace organic alternatives for soil enrichment and crop improvement.
Credit should also go to Funani Organic Fertilizer, a local firm that produces organic fertilizers and sells them at lower prices to enable farmers to access the soil-enriching product. Such initiatives are commendable, but there is room to do more.
We must collectively amplify awareness and reach out to a broader spectrum of farmers, particularly those in rural areas where large-scale farming is predominant.
As we intensify our efforts to educate and motivate farmers to adopt organic manure, we can anticipate a progressive decline in the reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
Ultimately, this shift will breathe new life into Malawi’s agricultural sector, enhance food security, and relegate hunger to the annals of history.
The writer is a Development Communications specialist based in Lilongwe, Malawi.
