From Waste to Wealth: Circular Agriculture as Malawi’s sustainable adaptation strategy to rising fertilizer prices

In Malawi, the vulnerability of rain-fed agriculture to irregular rainfall patterns has recently been worsened by the limited capacity of smallholder farmers to cope with the drastic rising costs of fertilizer.

This limited adaptive capacity is attributed to deep and widespread poverty in rural areas, where over 80 percent of the poor live (World Bank, 2020). This is a huge setback cognizant of the fact that the agriculture sector contributes significantly to employment and food security in the country. Global supply chain disruptions, inflation, and increasing dependence on imported chemical fertilizers are major contributors to this sad situation. 

Circular agriculture, therefore, presents an economically viable and environmentally sustainable solution to counteract these challenges.  Circular agriculture, a model based on recycling resources within the agricultural ecosystem, by reusing organic waste, holds a key to enhancing food security, reducing dependence on costly synthetic fertilizer, and creating a resilient agricultural sector in Malawi. 

Research has shown that higher fertilizer costs result in a 15-20% drop in crop productivity for farmers in low-income countries, worsening food insecurity and pushing more households into poverty. Therefore, the search for cost-effective, locally sustainable alternatives is more urgent than ever in Malawi.

The Potential of Circular Agriculture Practices in Malawi

Organic waste from crops, livestock, and households can be composted to produce a rich fertilizer. This method not only reduces dependency on costly synthetic fertilizers but also enhances soil health by increasing organic matter and microbial diversity. Studies in Malawi have shown that composting can increase crop yields by up to 25%, providing a viable alternative for farmers who cannot afford chemical fertilizers (Chibwana et al., 2023). Composting also reduces environmental pollution by repurposing agricultural waste that would otherwise contribute to methane emissions.

Livestock manure is a valuable source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, the key nutrients required for crop growth. Traditional practices of applying animal manure to fields help replenish soil fertility while reducing reliance on synthetic alternatives (Manda & Banda, 2022). Research in Malawi indicates that manure application can improve soil structure and water retention, vital for rain-fed agriculture. By adopting this practice on a larger scale, Malawian farmers could reduce fertilizer costs significantly while fostering more resilient soils.

Crop rotation and intercropping enhance soil health by preventing nutrient depletion and pest proliferation. Leguminous crops, for instance, fix nitrogen in the soil, reducing the need for nitrogen-based fertilizers (Mwale et al., 2021). When rotated with other crops, legumes enhance nutrient availability for subsequent plantings, boosting yields in an environmentally friendly manner. Intercropping maize with nitrogen-fixing crops like beans is gaining traction in Malawi, proving to be an affordable and effective means to optimize nutrient cycles naturally.

Circular agriculture also incorporates energy generation from agricultural waste. Biogas systems can convert livestock waste into methane for cooking fuel, and the byproduct, known as digestate, can be used as an organic fertilizer (Chirwa, 2023). For smallholder farmers in Malawi, this dual benefit of energy and fertilizer can reduce household expenses and contribute to environmental conservation by cutting down on deforestation linked to fuelwood consumption.

Strategies for Enhancing Circular Agriculture in Malawi

Despite its potential, circular agriculture is an alien method to the current farmers in Malawi due to a lack of awareness, training, and access to resources. Numerous farmers do not have information about composting methods, and rural areas have limited extension services. To bridge this gap, the government and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) need to implement training initiatives focused on composting, manure management, and crop rotation (Dube et al., 2023). 

Moreover, financial incentives like grants for composting tools might motivate additional farmers to embrace circular methods. Additionally, the upfront costs associated with biogas systems and compost pits could discourage farmers with low incomes. Microcredit programs and cooperative approaches, in which farmers collectively share resources, might alleviate this obstacle by distributing expenses and enhancing the exchange of knowledge. Through improving infrastructure and offering financial assistance, the government of Malawi along with development partners can facilitate greater accessibility and practicality of circular agriculture for smallholder farmers.

Environmental and Socioeconomic Benefits of Circular Agriculture

Circular agriculture has several long-term benefits for Malawi. Environmentally, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by minimizing the need for synthetic fertilizers, which are energy-intensive to produce and often lead to nitrogen runoff that contaminates water bodies (International Fertilizer Development Center, 2022). Additionally, circular practices improve soil health and biodiversity, creating resilient ecosystems capable of withstanding climate shocks.

Economically, circular agriculture can reduce production costs, thereby enhancing smallholder profitability and improving rural livelihoods. Socially, it fosters community cohesion as farmers work collaboratively to adopt sustainable practices, creating a sense of shared purpose and knowledge exchange. Importantly, circular agriculture can reduce food insecurity, making Malawi less reliant on global fertilizer markets and boosting domestic food production.

Conclusion

As fertilizer costs continue to rise, Malawi’s agricultural sector faces a pressing need for sustainable and affordable alternatives. Circular agriculture offers a promising solution, allowing farmers to reduce input costs, enhance soil health, and boost resilience against climate and economic shocks. However, realizing the full potential of circular agriculture requires investment in farmer education, infrastructure, and financial support. With government and community collaboration, circular agriculture could be the key to a more self-sufficient and food-secure Malawi, alleviating poverty and building resilience for future generations.

References

• Chibwana, D., Mkandawire, P., & Kalua, S. (2023). Composting and its impact on soil fertility in Malawi. Agricultural Sciences Review, 47(3), 215-223.
• Chirwa, N. (2023). Biogas potential in rural Malawi: A case study of smallholder farms. Renewable Energy in Africa, 22(1), 101-113.
• Dube, A., Tembo, B., & Banda, L. (2023). Challenges in sustainable farming practices: A Malawian perspective. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Education, 58(2), 34-46.
• Godfray, C. & Garnett, T. (2021). The principles of circular agriculture and resource efficiency. Ecological Agriculture Journal, 19(4), 302-319.
• International Fertilizer Development Center (2022). Report on fertilizer emissions and environmental impact.
• World Bank. 2020. Poverty and Shared Prosperity 2020: Reversals of Fortune. Washington, DC: World Bank. doi: 10.1596/978-1-4648-1602-4. License: Creative Commons Attribution CC BY 3.0 IGO