An article in The Nation tells the story of farmer, Moses Shonga who grows fertilizer trees, Gliricidia and Tephrosia, in his maize field in Malawi. He now uses half the amount of chemical fertilizer and is harvesting twice the amount of maize.

“The trees have restored fertility to my maize field. I no longer depend on the State-run Farm Input Subsidy Programme [Fisp] for fertiliser,” says Shonga.

“This technology ensures adequate soil cover in my field to retain moisture. When there is a dry spell, my crops are not affected.”

Malawi is faced with poor soils and an increasing population, making sustainable food production a challenge; exacerbated by erratic rains, extreme temperatures and droughts brought about by climate change. An estimated 1.5 million smallholder farming households in Malawi rely on government-subsidized fertilizer every year for food production.

Shonga’s story, says the article, stimulates debate between policy makers, donors and advocates for Fisp exit strategy. “Shonga’s experience provides a more plausible, viable sustainable way of nurturing and improving soil fertility.”

The use of fertilizer trees is being promoted by the World Agroforestry Centre’s Agroforestry Food Security Programme., Bruce Sosoloa, Programme Manager, says chemical fertilizers alone cannot solve the problems that Malawi soils are facing because they do not replenish soil organic matter. “Research conducted in this country indicate that integration of fertilizer trees in maize cropping improves the soil organic matter and enhances the nutrient use efficiency.”

Read the full story: Fertiliser trees for soil redemption

Find out more about the Agroforestry Food Security Programme in Malawi