Page 95 - AFAP Success Stories 2020

Addressing food security challenges in Malawi will need to be multifaceted. For example, while it has been shown
that Malawi relies on rain-fed agriculture, that winter farming could do much to address food security and bring
income through green maize sales should not be underestimated. In light of this, five Hub Agrodealers supported
by AFAP Malawi took the initiative to educate farmers on the economic value and business opportunities of selling
green maize commonly roasted along the roads of Malawi. They also actively encouraged farmers to use fertilizers
during winter cropping too. Most farmers have not been applying manure and not fertilizer during the winter
season. While the demonstrations offered solutions to food-security challenges, they also helped to promote an
awareness of correct fertilizer use.

The five Hub Agrodealers involved in this programme are Debs Enterprise, Mawindo Enterprise, Pagwanji Enterprise
and Tisaiwale K AgroTrading. Tiwonge Investments set up the winter demonstrations as part of the Hub Agrodealer
development programme in Malawi. The winter demonstrations were set up as part of the project implementation
for the Hub Agrodealer development programme in Malawi. The demonstration plots are also serving as awareness
demonstrations for the 23:10:5:6s +1Zn new N:P:K blanket fertilizer formulation released by the government of
Malawi in 2018. The plots also help promote best agronomic practices.
Furthermore, three out of
the five Hub Agrodealers
also conducted vege-
tative field days, which
were attended by a total
of 140 participants (77
men and 63 women).
These proved very pro-
ductive as they provided
a platform where small-
holder farmers could con-
verged and learn from
the hosts about good
farming practices and fer-
tilizer use.

Winter demonstration branding under Tisaiwale in Dowa

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