In the face of rising cases of child malnutrition and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, smallholder farmers in Mkusule Village, under Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi, are turning to agroecology as a sustainable solution to food insecurity and poor nutrition.
One of the beneficiaries is 42-year-old Sathyoleka Milward, a follower farmer who says he did not hesitate to join the initiative when he first heard about it, given the many challenges he was facing at the time.
Before joining the project, Milward struggled to provide enough food for his family, let alone a balanced diet.
Another beneficiary-Sathyoleka Milward
“I was struggling to the extent that I could not provide my children with a balanced diet,” he recalls. “A balanced diet includes different types of food such as carbohydrates, fruits, vegetables, and meat.”
Today, Milward says his life has significantly improved. His household no longer faces food shortages, and he is now able to grow a variety of crops that contribute to a nutritious diet. In addition, he rears livestock such as rabbits, pigs, and goats, which he sells to support his family financially, including paying school fees and buying protein-rich foods like fish.
Another beneficiary, Jameson Milward, a champion farmer from the same village, says he joined the initiative after realizing that working alone limited his progress. Being part of a group, he explains, has encouraged shared learning and mutual support.
Jameson says his livelihood has improved, enabling him to invest in livestock. He recently purchased a pig, which has already given birth to five piglets.
“I am now able to support my family and ensure they have a healthy diet. Through my sales, I can afford to buy fish and meat to make sure my family is eating well,” he says.
He adds that the project has helped him establish organically grown fruit forests, including guavas, bananas, peaches, pawpaw, strawberries, mangoes, and granadilla, which are providing his children with essential vitamins.
For Ruth Maonga, a 30-year-old champion farmer from Chamkoma under Traditional Authority Kalumo, the initiative has been life-changing since she joined in 2025.
After separating from her husband in 2020, Ruth struggled to provide for her daughter while living at her parents’ home.
One of the beneficiaries- Ruth Maonga
“I had nothing to do and struggled to find food to put on the table. But now, things have changed,” she says.
Through the project, Ruth has established a backyard garden and fruit forest, providing her family with a reliable source of nutritious food. She says the initiative has not only improved food security in her household but has also boosted her confidence and independence.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diet plays a critical role in shaping the health and well-being of individuals and populations. Unhealthy diets are a major risk factor for disease and disability, while healthy diets help protect against malnutrition in all its forms, as well as noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
The Catholic Development Commission of Malawi (CADECOM), under the Archdiocese of Lilongwe and the Catholic Secretariat, with support from DanChurchAid, is implementing the Improved Livelihood and Resilience (ILIAR) project. The initiative targets farmers in Traditional Authority Kalumo in Ntchisi and Traditional Authority Mponela in Dowa District, aiming to equip smallholder farmers with sustainable agricultural knowledge and practices.
Project Coordinator Madalitso Chilarire says the response from farmers has been encouraging.
“We train farmers in practices such as backyard gardening and organic manure production. Out of the 1,500 targeted farmers, we have successfully reached 1,400, which is significant progress,” he says.
Chilarire adds that the ILIAR project, now 90 percent complete, has distributed 2,696 goats to 120 farmer groups. The livestock are providing manure that improves soil fertility and boosts crop yields.
Tamandani Mzatiwathu Banda, Assistant Agriculture Extension Development Officer (AAEDO) for Extension Planning Area Section Bingu, has commended the initiative, noting its role in improving food security and dietary diversity.
Commended the initiative, Tamandani Mzatiwathu Banda from AAEDO
“We have seen notable changes, as farmers are now adopting agroecological practices such as organic farming and crop diversification. These are contributing to improved food security and better nutrition outcomes,” Banda says.
As climate change continues to threaten food systems, agroecology is proving to be a vital tool in building resilience among smallholder farmers. For farmers like Milward, Jameson, and Ruth, the initiative is not only transforming livelihoods but also ensuring that their children grow up healthy and well-nourished—making agroecology a key pathway in the fight against malnutrition in Ntchisi.
