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Country of Malawi, the "Warm Heart of Africa"

Country of Malawi, the "Warm Heart of Africa"

I’ve spent this month (November 2023) in Malawi, the site of Appleseed’s latest project — a collaboration with One Acre Fund to help small farmers.

One of the poorest countries on Earth

One of the poorest countries on Earth

Most Malawians are subsistence maize farmers. Unfortunately, population growth and having just one rainy season make it very difficult to grow enough food and earn money. People are now going hungry.

No Fertilizer = No Food

No Fertilizer = No Food

In the months leading up to planting time, farmers worry if they will be able to afford fertilizers. This man finally got his, just enough for his one acre of land where he will plant maize.

Unfortunately, fertilizers don't work on poor soil

Unfortunately, fertilizers don't work on poor soil

Farmers do all they can to prevent erosion, such as piling their soil into ridges before planting. However this isn’t enough to repair soil health. Organic matter is needed.

Organic matter must go back into the soil

Organic matter must go back into the soil

Maize crop residue — the stalks and leaves — are the key ingredient to restoring soil. It would help everyone if farmers would bury their residues after harvest.

Unburied residues are often burned

Unburied residues are often burned

Instead of burying these precious residues for soil health, many farmers burn them. This is an easy way to clear the land and it kills pests. The short term gain causes long term pain.

Appleseed x One Acre Fund

Appleseed x One Acre Fund

Our partners at One Acre Fund make it possible for farmers to afford high quality seeds and fertilizers. Now they’ve hired Appleseed’s behavioral team to figure out how to get farmers to bury their residues.

We always start with listening

We always start with listening

Here’s part of our research team! The work begins with understanding farmers’ experiences, challenges, motivations, and other factors which influence their behaviors.

It is not trivial to simply "bury all residues."

It is not trivial to simply "bury all residues."

This farmer showed us just how much effort and time it takes to bury all his residues. Also, doing this means NOT doing something else, such as picking up other work to put food on his table for his family.

Focus group with a tight-knit group of women farmers

Focus group with a tight-knit group of women farmers

For 8 years, these women have been part of a group that supports each other with farming. Together, they purchase fertilizers and learn new techniques from One Acre Fund. They were honest in sharing the fact that they don’t practice everything they learn.

Lack of transportation is a major challenge

Lack of transportation is a major challenge

Motorbikes like this one are hard to come by. Most people go everywhere on foot. A lack of transport and wasted time was one of the complaints we heard about most.

Cooking fuel is also a challenge

Cooking fuel is also a challenge

To cook, people must burn something. When they are not using their crop residues, they are cutting down trees. Despite many NGOs telling people to stop deforestation, they cannot and will not stop until they have another source of fuel.

Hard work for women and girls

Hard work for women and girls

Can you imagine walking barefoot down a mountain carrying this every week? My teammate, Lydia, and I tried lifting a bundle weighing 200 lb. and we could not do it.

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Research Assistant

Research Assistant

This is Winfrey, my trusty Chichewa language interpreter and notetaker.

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Country of Malawi, the "Warm Heart of Africa"
One of the poorest countries on Earth
No Fertilizer = No Food
Unfortunately, fertilizers don't work on poor soil
Organic matter must go back into the soil
Unburied residues are often burned
Appleseed x One Acre Fund
We always start with listening
It is not trivial to simply "bury all residues."
Focus group with a tight-knit group of women farmers
Lack of transportation is a major challenge
Cooking fuel is also a challenge
Hard work for women and girls
PXL_20231112_130535300.MP.jpg
PXL_20231109_121656261~2.jpg
20231128_001133-COLLAGE.jpg
PXL_20231121_070213559.MP.jpg
original_9e81c5a9-6251-400d-a51b-f7d9adc16002_PXL_20231115_063142819-COLLAGE.jpg
PXL_20231108_122255821.MP~2.jpg
PXL_20231109_151307931.jpg
PXL_20231112_151507671~2.jpg
PXL_20231114_152718115.PORTRAIT.jpg
PXL_20231114_120602666.jpg
PXL_20231114_123957506.jpg
PXL_20231114_134648206.jpg
PXL_20231114_151308405.jpg
PXL_20231114_182919442.jpg
PXL_20231114_152742278.jpg
original_076f5227-cc53-41df-84b2-19955e0ac12d_PXL_20231114_180810591.jpg
PXL_20231115_040834476.jpg
PXL_20231115_044747990.jpg
PXL_20231115_034205344~2.jpg
PXL_20231115_051047410.jpg
PXL_20231115_055557095.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL.jpg
PXL_20231115_061234823.PORTRAIT.jpg
PXL_20231115_061624381.PORTRAIT (1).jpg
PXL_20231115_062630544.PORTRAIT.jpg
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PXL_20231117_031234674~2.jpg
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PXL_20231117_092929380.jpg
PXL_20231117_161034729.MP.jpg
PXL_20231121_083602027.MP.jpg
PXL_20231122_143704506.jpg
Research Assistant
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team@appleseedimpact.org

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