22 research outputs found
Evaluating the merits of climate smart technologies under smallholder agriculture in Malawi
The merits of three climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies implemented by
farmers were assessed in Machinga district of Malawi with respect to their soil
quality and maize yield effects. Data were collected from farms implementing the
three CSA technologies, namely conservation agriculture (CA), maize–pigeonpea
(Maize-PP)
intercrops and a local organic and inorganic soil amendment known
as Mbeya fertilization (Mbeya-fert),
from 2018 to 2019. With respect to resilience
and adaptation, particulate organic matter, soil organic carbon (SOC), N, P, K, Ca
and Mg all significantly improved while bulk densities were lowered under the
three CSA systems. Higher annual biomass inputs and improved water infiltration
from the Maize-PP
intercrops were observed. With respect to productivity, CA and
Mbeya-fert
improved maize yields by 51 and 19%, respectively, compared to conventional
farmer practices. With regard to climate change mitigation, increases in
measured SOC in the top 20 cm depth compared to the conventional farmer practices
amounted to 6.5, 12 and 10.5 t C ha−1 for CA, Mbeya-fert,
and Maize-PP
intercrops,
respectively, over a period of 2–6
years. This suggests higher potential for carbon
sequestration from CSA technologies. Furthermore, use of drought tolerant varieties,
timely weeding and optimum plant populations, increased productivity. Improved
gross margins from CSA practices were also apparent. Thus, employing these CSA
technologies could enable farmers to be more resilient, productive and adapt better to
climate change shocks leading to improved food security and livelihoods