admin | April 9, 2025
News Brief
In Mzimba District, northern Malawi, Fanny Ndhlovu, a small-scale farmer, has witnessed the decline of maize and banana yields due to soil degradation and high fertilizer costs. She says, “Growing bananas and maize is our life, but production has fallen in recent years.” However, a project by Mzuzu University is offering hope. Researchers have developed a low-cost, organic fertilizer made from black soldier fly waste, rice husk biochar, and coffee grounds. Ndhlovu, trained through the project, believes this solution could help revive local farming.
In Mzimba District, northern Malawi, vast stretches of farmland once flourished with golden maize and thriving banana trees. But in recent years, these fields have yielded less and less, leaving farmers struggling to sustain their livelihoods.
Fanny Ndhlovu, a small-scale farmer in Mzimba District, has seen firsthand the challenges of declining yields. She says, “Growing bananas and maize is our life, but production has fallen in recent years. We had no way to reverse the decline.”
With the rising cost of chemical fertilizers, many small-scale farmers cannot afford these inputs. Those who can still face low productivity due to changing weather patterns and soil degradation.
A project by Mzuzu University, in partnership with the Science Granting Councils Initiative and Malawi’s National Commission for Science and Technology, may offer a solution. Researchers have developed an organic fertilizer using black soldier fly waste, rice husk biochar, and coffee grounds.
Lead researcher Elija Wanda explains that black soldier fly frass is rich in protein, calcium, and potassium. When mixed with biochar, it creates a nutrient-rich fertilizer. The mixture is analyzed in a lab, dried, and packaged for use.
She tells us, “The goal is to combat soil degradation and improve agricultural productivity with a low-cost, sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers.”
A policy brief by the Mwapata Institute estimates that soil degradation in Malawi results in the loss of 2.3 million metric tons of maize annually. With maize as the staple food, restoring soil health is critical.
The project also explores black soldier fly farming for animal feed. Maggie Munthali-Ngosi, a research fellow at Mwapata Institute, says Malawi’s 10-year soil health plan includes sustainable fertilizers and alternative feed sources.
Mrs. Ndhlovu, trained through the project, has shared knowledge with other farmers. She and her colleagues have started a banana farm using the new fertilizer.
She declares, “We believe this is the answer to our farming struggles. With a little support, we can produce enough fertilizer to sustain ourselves.”
This story is adapted from an article written by Charles Mpaka for SciDev.Net, titled “Fly poo boosts Malawi crop yields.” To read the full story, go to: https://www.scidev.net/global/supported-content/fly-poo-boosts-malawi-crop-yields/