In the heart of Ntchisi, Mkusule Village under Traditional Authority Kalumo a quiet revolution is taking shape.
At first glance, one might doubt any progress in the area, dusty roads damaged with potholes, and a once-important bridge passing through the Mpherere River, left impassable after being washed away by the heavy rains the country has recently experienced.
The structure now stands abandoned, a symbol of neglect.
But despite these challenges, communities in Mkusule Village are forging ahead with determination.
Farmers here are embracing agroecology and the use of organic manure, transforming their livelihoods and boosting food security.
Perhaps most striking is the shift in gender roles, as women are now actively driving agroecology initiatives, challenging long-held beliefs that such work was not meant for them.
Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), is implementing a project called Improved Livelihood and Resilience for Smallholder Producers, with support from DanChurchAid targeting Dowa and Ntchisi districts.
The project which started in September 2024 and is phasing out in April 2026, whose aim is to Improve food security, economic and environmental resilience of people in T/A kalumo Ntchisi district.
Rose Mafwedwe, a beneficiary from Mkusule Village, shares how her life has changed since the project began in 2024.
Through training provided by CADECOM, Rose says she has gained valuable skills in agroecological farming, including using smile bags to harvest water, through fruit planting, natural pest and disease control, and the use of organic manure.
one of the beneficiaries- Rose Mafwedwe
Rose received the seedlings from CADECOM including 8 fruit tree seedlings and 2 banana suckers each for the establishment of food forests, these are sustainable gardens that are using agroecological principles for food production.
“I am now able to feed my family a well-balanced diet including vegetables,” she says.
“Through this farming, I have also managed to buy ducks and chickens. I now use manure and no longer rely on fertilizer, which is very expensive.”
Rose, a mother of four, adds that this approach has helped reduce cases of malnutrition in her household.
“My children are now eating a balanced diet, including vegetables and fruits,” she explains.
She is not alone. Luka Zakaria from Village headman Mkusule, a lead farmer and male champion in the same project, says group-based livestock farming has also played a key role in improving incomes.
He explains that as a farmer what inspired him to start agroecology farming method is due to climate change, hence this type of farming suits perfectly as it does not need any artificial fertilizer or chemicals applied to the crops.
Another beneficiary- Luke Zakaria
“We save money, as this type of farming we strengthened manure production among farmers, reducing dependence on costly artificial fertilizers, and instead of buying chemicals which are costly, we do diversification by planting variety of crops including onions, lemon glass which helps to control pests and diseases,” he explains.
Zakaria also added that the beneficiaries have been grouped into groups of 10 individuals each group which they were supported with 20 goats.
Madalitso Chilarire, Project Coordinator for CADECOM under the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the Catholic Secretariat, says the project aims to improve the economic livelihoods of farmers while addressing challenges brought about by climate change.
He explained that the initiative promotes agroecology, the use of resilient and drought-tolerant crops that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
Cadecom Project Coordinator-Madalitso Chilarire
“We train farmers to identify key practices that can improve their living standards, such as establishing backyard gardens and producing organic manure. So far, the response has been encouraging. Out of 1,500 targeted farmers, we have successfully reached 1,400, which is significant progress,” he said.
Chilarire further explained that the project is also supporting farmers with livestock of which a total of 2,621 goats has been distributed to 123 farmer groups.
The farmers are expected to raise and fatten the goats over a period of four to five months before selling them to generate income.
He added that part of the proceeds will be reinvested, while the rest will support household needs among the beneficiaries.
However, in an era of rising costs of farm inputs and scarcity of land, it is becoming harder and harder to make a profit as a farmer which has affected most farmers’ food security and household income generation, the adoption of agroecology practices is playing a crucial role in helping farmers cope with persistent challenges brought about by changing weather patterns.
Farmers like Rose and Zakaria are a true testament to the impact of the project, demonstrating how sustainable practices can transform livelihoods and bring hope for a more secure future.
