Partnership Towards Food Security
This June Tiyeni, an organization dedicated to teaching Malawian farmers how to improve their crop yields using low cost, low technology methods, held a training at MCM. How it all began is an amazing story of collaboration with the purpose of raising up an entire community.
Howard Hibbs, a Master Gardener from California, was preparing to volunteer at MCM. In the process he learned that 80% of Malawians are subsistence farmers, growing what they eat, and that in the past few years MCM’s families struggled to harvest enough food to feed their families due to unprecedented weather events and insects.
While researching how best to support MCM’s goals of increasing the amount of food grown on site for the feeding program and teaching the children efficient farming techniques, Howard found Tiyeni, a Malawian based NGO. He also reached out to colleagues with expertise in composting and soil science.
Two projects emerged: 1) the start of a formal compost program at the center, and 2) a partnership with Tiyeni’s team to train MCM’s staff and the community about deep bed farming techniques.
Composting: MCM’s students who were back on break eagerly took part in the construction of 3 compost bins. Pallets were donated by CURE International Malawi thanks to an MCM board member who works for the global non-profit. Upon completion of the bins, organic material and food scraps were collected and layered. Now daily the temperature and moisture levels are checked and recorded. The piles are turned over as needed to encourage the microbial decomposition of the organic matter. In a few weeks 2 piles of compost will be ready for the planting season. The compost will be applied to a sample section of MCM’s vegetable garden to compare the yield of an area where it was not used.
Deep Bed Farming Techniques: Five farmers from each of the 3 surrounding villages, including the chiefs, attended the Tiyeni one-day training on deep bed farming and how to produce inexpensive fertilizer, “mbeya”. Participants left with a new pickaxe, hoe, level and string (items necessary for the process) and a good understanding of the process. They agreed to implement the technique in their fields.
Angellina, MCM’s YWI, OSP and Farmer’s Club coordinator now liaisons with the farmers and Tiyeni. This role gives her the opportunity to expand and share her knowledge. Last year Angellina graduated from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
During the initial post-training visits, Angellina encouraged hesitant farmers to try deep bed farming on a section of their fields. When Tiyeni visited last month all farmers had started the process. Angellina herself has prepared a section of her field using the technique to better advise from experience. She said “I am excited to see the result of this learning. Once we harvest, we will see how the maize has grown and be able to see how important deep bed farming can be for the community.” Angellina is hopeful that more in the community will consider these alternative planting methods. “I ran into a group of government agriculture extension workers who were being taught about deep farming by the trainees.”
Food insecurity is a major issue facing Malawi’s population and specifically MCM’s families. This program is an example of how MCM’s staff and children, the local community, outside NGOs, volunteers and donors can work together to create opportunities to impact change for an entire community - one field at a time.
