Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) has embarked on organic fertiliser production project to boost the country’s agricultural productivity and soil fertility.
The granulated urine fertiliser made from a blend of special rocks and liquid urine, is under pre-test at Bvumbwe Research Station in Thyolo District.
Must researcher behind the innovation Jabulani Nyengere said in a telephone interview on Friday that the fertiliser trials are expected to rollout in the forthcoming agriculture season.
He said: “Pre-test results show that the fertiliser performs comparably to inorganic alternatives, thereby providing hopes for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for farmers.
“There is high potential of the product in providing alternative cheap source of fertiliser for improved crop production among smallholder farmers in the country.”
Nyengere said the fertiliser will undergo further testing under irrigation and rain-fed crop production before mass production and trials to consider all agro-ecological zones.
He said Must received a grant from Far-Leaf II to upscale the production of this innovative organic fertiliser, targeting smallholder farmers in cyclone-affected areas in the Southern Region.
The grant will cover procurement of production machinery, farmer training, fertiliser production and other resources pertaining to the project.
In a separate interview, Ndata School of Climate and Earth Sciences acting executive dean Chikondi Chisenga said Must is proud of the outcome of the results and will facilitate securing of rock deposits for continued fertiliser production.
“We are optimistic of securing rock deposits for continued production of this fertiliser because it has demonstrated strong potential that is likely to transform our agricultural productivity,” she said.
Agricultural policy development expert Tamani Nkhono Mvula, in an interview on Friday, urged Must to continue with the project, saying most of such efforts stop at research stage which is unfortunate.
“The good thing with organic fertilisers is that they improve soil health. But experience has taught us that most of the higher learning institutions in Malawi do not proceed to the trials stage,” he said.
Agriculture extension service expert Leonard Chimwaza said Must’s innovation could help to solve the country’s food security concerns.
“This fertiliser will help in improving the productivity of the soil and reduce the cost of production,” he said.
According to Must, this innovation is part of its efforts to address the country’s agricultural production challenges and contribute to the country’s long-term development agenda outlined Malawi 2063.
Rural Development Investment Holdings, a local investment venture, is in the process of rolling out a K1 billion organic fertiliser manufacturing plant at Chileka in Blantyre to produce 25 000 metric tonnes per year.
According to available data, the country requires about 611 000 metric tonnes of fertiliser to meet the country’s agriculture production needs annually.
