FAIDHERBIA IN MALAWI:

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

TOTAL LANDCARE

Side Event on Faidherbia in Southern AfricaCONFERENCE ON BEATING FAMINE

APRIL 14-17, 2015

TOTAL LANDCARE

Side Event on Faidherbia in Malawi

CONFERENCE ON BEATING FAMINEAPRIL 14-17, 2015

FA System in Malawi Prior to 1987 Benefits generally well known among farmers, but

confined to areas with natural trees

Tree distribution uneven with low densities even in areas where common along the lakeshore

Perception among many farmers and extension staff that FA cannot be planted and grows only in low altitude areas along the lake

Highly skewed age class distribution of FA dominated by large trees with limited regeneration of young trees

Little or no promotion of natural regeneration

Limited local knowledge about raising & planting seedlings

Deliberately cut, aggravated by ext messages to keep trees off crop land, esp. tobacco, cotton & cassava

Mortality from burning to remove crop residues / weeds & for hunting mice

Browsing damage from goats, cattle, other animals

Age structure dominated by large trees due to mortality of young regenerating trees:

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%% Composition by DBH Class (cm)

MTAKATAKA

GOLOMOTI

KHOMBEDZA

MTOSA

MEAN

DBH Class (cm)

Density/ha by Age Class 2015

0-2020-40

40-6060-80

80-100

100-120120+

0.00

1.00

2.00

3.00

4.00

5.00

6.00MTAKATAKA

GOLOMOTI

KHOMBEDZAMTOSA

MEAN

DBH CLASS (CM)

Mean Density: 14.5Range: 9.4 to 21.0

Changes in the last 25-30 YearsResearch efforts combined with agroforestry extension programs have led to dramatic changes to promote FA:

The benefits to crops, soils and livestock have been well documented

Active tree planting programs with FA and other trees with many projects and NGOs based on well established methods of propagation and outplanting

Protection and management of natural regenerating trees

Integration with CA

The density and structure of FA has changed significantly with higher densities and more regenerating young trees for greater impacts and sustainability

Overall Results:

Much higher density of young regenerating trees on farmland, but establishment, growth and survival

of planted trees remained low

Challenges with Planting1.Lack of training and weak extension services

2.Poor collaboration with other organizations/projects

3.Production of poor quality seedlings

4.Improper or late planting

5.Competition with weeds

6.Accidental/deliberate removal of small “invisible” seedlings in dense stands of crops by hired or child labor

7.Burning to remove weeds/crop residues & to hunt mice

ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES FOR SCALING UP: 1. Need for collaboration and harmonization across all sectors

2. Strengthen training and extension services

3. Encourage FMNR – easiest, cheapest & most effective system for successful establishment with fast growth

4. Planted Seedlings: Plant early with air-pruned seedlings under CA

5. Promote participatory farmer led systems of extension

6. Produce and provide quality training / extension materials

7. Institute community led initiatives to publicize, promote and encourage FMNR with more farmers e.g., the Msangu Belt Initiative (next slide)

MSANGU (FAIDHERBA) BELT INITIATIVEIncreasing adoption and up-scaling of CA

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:TLC supported the Msangu Belt Initiative with traditional

leaders and communities in April, 2014.

The goal is to promote natural regeneration and CA in areas where Faidherbia (Msangu) trees are common

The initiative covers a wide belt along the lakeshore in 5 districts from Nkhota-kota and Salima to Dedza, Ntcheu and Mangochi.

Lessons learnt will used to extend the initiative to areas with similar characteristics.

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE MEMBERSHIP:

• Local leaders at all levels (T/A, GVH, VH)

• Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Water Development

• NGOs implementing CSA along the Belt

• Forestry Dept, Min of Nat Resources, Energy & Mining

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• Chair: T/A Mwansambo with Director of Land Resources Conservation Dept as Vice

• District LRC Officers are coordinators of district level committees with DEC members

SECRETARIAT: Total LandCare

APPROACH/ACTIVITIES

• Community-driven approach with local leadership to mobilize communities and farmers to promote regeneration of Msangu with CA.

• Raise awareness about the value of Msangu and CA for soil improvement, water conservation, increased yields and resilience to climate variability

• Involvement of all key stakeholders within the Msangu belt to support the initiative.

• Tour of the Belt by all stakeholders to appreciate the impact of Msangu and the synergy of integrating CA

• Formation of coordination committees at national and district levels

• Mapping of the Belt

• Facilitation of two coordination and planning meetings

• Development of an action plan

ACHIEVEMENTS TO-DATE

• Document drivers / factors that motivate farmers a) to plant crops with Faidherbia and b) to protect regenerating trees

• Evaluate effects and application with crops other than cereals

• Evaluate natural germination by feeding pods to livestock

• Evaluate synergies with CA and related causal factors

• Evaluate effects on yields under variable rainfall (droughts)

• Document effects on weed biomass & seed reservoirs

• Compare cost effective options for better weed control

• Evaluate cost effective use of fertilizers/manure over time

• Analyze effects on soils / micro-environment, runoff, soil loss

Participatory Farmer Led R & D Needs:

Conclusions High potential for natural regeneration to increase FA

densities & impacts across the Faidherbia belt

Great synergies with CA to increase yields at lower costswith enhanced resilience to climate variability

FA with CA provide a compelling case to transform smallholder agriculture in this part of Malawi with conservation of the environment to support future generations