National Commission for Sci ence and Technology (NCST) director general Gift Kadzamira has hailed the locally-produced organo-mineral fertiliser as having the potential to improve yields at a lower cost for farmers.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Wednesday during the national outreach workshop for a project on Facilitating the Transfer of Appropriate Technology for Community Development through Universities and Research Institutions, she said the organo-mineral fertiliser has come at a critical time when Malawi is seeking sustainable solutions to improve soil fertility, enhance productivity and reduce dependence on imported chemical fertilisers.
improve yields. | Hilda Luhanga
The outreach was meant to update stakeholders on the preliminary findings of the ongoing organo-mineral fertiliser trials.
Said Kadzamira: “Developing our own fertiliser will help our people to easily access and use the commodity. This will reduce food insecurity, which is a big problem in Malawi.
“This product has the potential to improve yields and lower costs for farmers, while also contributing to environmental conservation through the recycling of organic waste.”
NCST is implementing the project in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) which is leading the fertiliser trials and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP).
UNDP resident representative Fenella Frost described the development as an opportunity to reduce fertiliser costs, save forex for Malawi and help smallholder farmers to boost their harvest.
In his remarks, Luanar Vice- Chancellor Professor Emmanuel Kaunda said the organo-mineral fertiliser is appropriate, practical and relevant given Malawi’s current struggles with soil health challenges.
However, he called on stakeholders, including the government, to help in ensuring that the product is manufactured consistently, saying there will soon be a high demand for the locally made fertiliser which is at a low cost with many benefits.
Organo-mineral fertilisers are a focus for sustainable agri culture in Ma lawi , combining organic manure with inorganic chemical fertilisers to revitalise degraded soils and improve crop yields.
