Fruits of farmer field schools

Farmer field schools were initiated to enhance food security, income and enviroment. Over the years, the farmer field schools have changed participants lives.

Chifundo Macheso, from Kambenje Village in Mulanje District, joined Tilimbike Farmer Field School in 2021.

The 43-year-old says lessons from the group of 30 farmers have helped her increase crop yields and acquire vital assets.

The group gives its members an opportunity to put together their savings and share loans they use to boost their businesses and livelihoods.

“Before joining the farmer field school initiative, life was hard,” she says. “In 2021, I received K98 000 from shared savings and bought materials to build a better house.”

The money was inadequate, but it inspired the mother of five to complete the house brick by brick. She continued to build the house in 2022 when she received K180 000 from the village savings and loans group.

As the house took shape, she obtained a loan to support her family, including paying tuition for three children, now in secondary school.

The woman fends for her five children single-handedly.

She feels empowered by tips from the farmer field school, including modern farming techniques that have led to a rise in crop yields from her field.

This year, she expects to get no less than K350 000 from the shared savings totalling K3.2 million.

The group owns a solar drying machine used to dry and preserve fruits, vegetables and other farm produce for sale.

They collectively do commercial farming, sharing the profits according to the shares one owns.

“I harvested seven bags of beans weighing 90 kilogrammes each. I hope to make a killing once I sell them,” she says.

Equally delighted is Susan Jameson from neighbouring Nengwere Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkanda.

She says the peer-to-peer farmer group has helped her understand modern farming methods and the importance of nutrition.

The solar dryer preserves vital food nutrients found in-season fruits and vegetables.

“With the machine, we store seasonal fruits and vegetables to be consumed when they are scarce. This helps us balance and diversify our diets,” Jameson explains.

The farmer field schools approach is part of the Afikepo and Kulima projects funded by the European Union (EU)since 2017. The projects are spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in partnership with Unicef to enhance food security, income, nutrition and environmental conservation. Its funding comes to a close next month.

Pasani Catchment chairperson Bornwell Mtumwinda says communities have realised the importance of conserving the environment.

“Previously, hills, riverbanks and our fields were bare. Rainwater speeding down the slopes easily washed away fertile soils in our fields. Now we are working together to conserve trees and soil,” he states.

Groups in Nkongodza and surrounding villages have planted 68 870 trees to combat soil erosion.

“We also keep bees for honey,” says Mtumwinda.

He leads a conservation committee of 67 members from five villages which works with 2 228 families.

“That the farmers themselves articulate the benefits from the project means the project has met its objectives,” says FAO Malawi assistant representative George Phiri. “We hope these communities will sustain some of the successful initiatives for long-term benefits.”

The United Nations agency implements the EU-funded programme in partnership with the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Education, Local Government and Finance.

Other implementing partners are the European Investment Bank, World Food Programme, GIZ and Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.

Self Help Africa, Action Aid, Plan International and the Evangelical Association of Malawi were the implementing partners in Chitipa, Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Mzimba, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Salima, Mulanje, Chiradzulu and Thyolo.