| Introduction | | | | too long to use the soil as something to extract |
| There is growing concern about agricultural activities | | | | from, without trying to recycle things back into it. |
| leading to environmental degradation and health risks | | | | The intensification of an agricultural system need not |
| associated with intensively produced foodstuffs. As a | | | | mean automatically putting in more chemicals. There |
| result interest in organic agriculture is increasing. This | | | | are different ways - intercropping, green manuring, |
| growing interest in sustainable and organic natural | | | | recycling of manure, and planting crops at different |
| resource management and healthy eating, coupled | | | | times, so as to maximize the potential of a piece of |
| with the increasing number of resource-poor farmers | | | | land. You can use cropping systems so that you have |
| who cannot afford agrichemicals, has led to the | | | | a diversity of crop species that complement each |
| potential for organic farming in addressing the issue | | | | other. You can plant crop combinations that are less |
| of sustainable food production and livelihoods of | | | | susceptible to pest attacks, so that you don't have |
| resource-poor people in sub-Saharan Africa. | | | | to keep relying on the pesticides used with |
| Low in-put agriculture applies to systems that rely | | | | monocultures. |
| less on external, purchased inputs and more on | | | | RS. Can you give an overview of organic farming in |
| internal resources. However, low-inout agriculture | | | | Malawi? |
| technolgy (LIAT) has conveyed a negative | | | | AE. Compared to the population of Malawi (about 12 |
| impression in various agriculture circles and this is cited | | | | million people), those practicing organic farming in |
| as a major barrier to wider adoption of low-input | | | | Malawi are few although there is an untapped |
| agriculture technologies (LIATs) in Malawi and | | | | demand for organic produce within and outside |
| sub-Saharan Africa as a whole. | | | | Malawi. The question is therefore how to go into this |
| Increasingly, it has been recognized that | | | | market by encouraging farmers to grow organic |
| environmental deterioration in Africa is a central | | | | produce and forming links between potential farmers |
| factor holding back agriculture. The disappearance of | | | | and the market. This is because marketing is the |
| forest areas accelerates land degradation. Even on | | | | major impediment in the adoption of organic farming. |
| gently sloping cropland, topsoil losses have been | | | | There are currently no standards for organic farming |
| reported to range from 25 tonnes to 250 tonnes per | | | | in the country which control the production of organic |
| hectare, across the region. One study has estimated | | | | goods and there is also little awareness by the |
| that soil degradation and erosion in Africa reduces the | | | | potential farmers of the benefits of organic farming. |
| productivity of land about 1 per cent a year | | | | RS. What are the low-input technologies that are |
| (Daberkow and Reichederfer, 1988). | | | | currently used in Malawi? |
| According to World Bank figures (1982), some 2.9 | | | | AE. Many subsistence farmers in Malawi practice LIA |
| million hectares of forest were lost each year in | | | | albeit unconsciously. Due to unaffordability of external |
| sub-Saharan Africa during the 1980s, mainly due to | | | | agriculture inputs farmers have always produced |
| clearing by farmers and loggers. The Soil Reference | | | | crops using on-farm inputs. Some of the strategies |
| and Information Centre (2007) in the Netherlands | | | | which are currently practiced by subsistence farmers |
| estimates that 321 million hectares of African land are | | | | are; |
| moderately to extremely degraded. Since 1950, the | | | | Irrigation |
| amount of water available per person in Africa has | | | | There are many different irrigation systems available |
| fallen by more than half, and may plummet further to | | | | to suit particular conditions. The one commonly used |
| half its current level within the next 25 years. | | | | in Malawi is that which is traditionally used in many |
| While African governments have become more | | | | parts of the world - the irrigation water is carried to |
| aware of the relationship between the environment | | | | the fields along channels at the highest edge of the |
| and agricultural productivity, much of the impetus for | | | | land and then along smaller channels made between |
| concrete and more integrated action has come from | | | | the rows of plants. The water then soaks into the |
| the grassroots. Confronted with deteriorating | | | | ground around the plants. |
| environmental conditions, villagers across the | | | | Companion Planting |
| continent, often with support from non-governmental | | | | A technique used by the farmers interviewed to help |
| organizations (NGOs), have taken the initiative to set | | | | to control pests is to plant together different kinds |
| up woodlots, terrace hillsides, conserve threatened | | | | of crop which help each other to survive and grow |
| water sources and adopt more environmentally | | | | successfully. One of the reasons "companion plants" |
| sustainable farming methods. | | | | help each other is because one may deter the pest |
| Malawi Profile | | | | of its neighbour. For example, many pests avoid garlic |
| Malawi is a landlocked country about 117,068 km2, | | | | so this can be used very effectively for companion |
| with a population of about 12 million people. It is | | | | planting with many crops. |
| situated in southeastern Africa, where the Great Rift | | | | In some cases, it is possible to use a plant which is |
| Valley traverses the country from north to south. In | | | | more attractive to the pest than the crop plant itself. |
| this deep trough lies Lake Malawi, the third-largest | | | | This idea is used in parts of Africa where farmers |
| lake in Africa, comprising about 20% of Malawi's land | | | | have found that milkweed planted among vegetables |
| area. The Shire River flows from the south end of | | | | reduces the number of aphids on their crops - simply |
| the lake and joins the Zambezi River 400 kilometers | | | | because the aphids prefer the milkweed to the |
| farther south in Mozambique. East and west of the | | | | vegetables. |
| Rift Valley, the land forms high plateaus, generally | | | | In a similar way to companion planting, plants can be |
| between 900 and 1,200 meters above sea level. | | | | used to attract predators which will then eat the |
| Malawi is a densely populated country with an | | | | pests. Bushes and trees left around crop fields |
| economy heavily dependent on agriculture. The | | | | provide cover for many useful insects and birds. |
| country has few exploitable mineral resources. Its | | | | There are many plants whose flowers will attract |
| two most important export crops are tobacco and | | | | predators and encourage them to lay more eggs, so |
| tea. Traditionally Malawi has been self-sufficient in its | | | | increasing the number of insects which will attack the |
| staple food, maize, and during the 1980s exported | | | | pests. |
| substantial quantities to its drought-stricken neighbors. | | | | Composting |
| Agriculture represents 38.6% of the GDP, accounts | | | | If the soil is to continue to provide the nourishment |
| for over 80% of the labour force, and represents | | | | needed by crop plants, it must be kept in good |
| about 80% of all exports. Nearly 90% of the | | | | condition and its natural nutrients replaced. Artificial, |
| population engages in subsistence farming. Smallholder | | | | chemical fertizers can not do this because they only |
| farmers produce a variety of crops, including maize, | | | | supply the short-term needs of the plant but do not |
| beans, rice, cassava, tobacco, and groundnuts | | | | feed the soil itself - so feeding of the next crop with |
| (peanuts). The agricultural sector contributes about | | | | more, expensive chemicals becomes necessary. By |
| 63.7% of total income for the rural population, 65% | | | | returning natural wastes and animal manure to the |
| of manufacturing sector’s raw materials, and | | | | soil, as well as feeding the plants, the farmer can also |
| approximately 87% of total employment. Financial | | | | improve the structure of the soil so that it retains |
| wealth is generally concentrated in the hands of a | | | | water more effectively. |
| small elite. | | | | A very effective way of using vegetable wastes in |
| Many Malawian subsistence farmers have | | | | this way is by making it into compost. This is made |
| unconsciously practiced LIATs since time immemorial | | | | up of plant and animal residues which have been |
| until the advent of advanced technology and | | | | broken down by bacteria. Since this is a natural |
| conventional farming systems aimed at producing | | | | process, compost is very easy and inexpensive to |
| more to food the ever-increasing population. | | | | make and is an effective and long-lasting way of |
| Conventional farming system has by and by | | | | improving soil and crop quality. If the process is well |
| overtaken traditional low-input agriculture. However, | | | | managed, the heat produced as the materials rot will |
| LIATs system of farming is not receiving much | | | | often be enough to kill weed seeds and plant |
| attention for various reasons. There is thus need to | | | | diseases. |
| revisit the system and identify the needs and gaps | | | | Freedom Gardens uses the trench composting |
| that impede adoption of LIAT system of farming. | | | | system but there are many different ways of |
| The primary objective of the research was to | | | | making compost, all of which have been devised to |
| identify the challenges of adoption of organic | | | | suit various waste materials and the climates in which |
| agriculture that exist in the development of LIATs in | | | | they are used. It is essential in all methods, however, |
| Malawi and to recommend the formulation of policies | | | | to have a mixture of different kinds of materials |
| that will improve sustainability in agriculture. | | | | – some young, living material and some older, |
| Definitions | | | | dead material - so that the final product has a good |
| Organic farming | | | | balance of natural carbon and nitrogen which the crop |
| There are varied definitions of organic farming but | | | | plants will need. |
| the basic principles of this type of farming apply to all. | | | | Soil conservation |
| The principles of organic farming as expressed in the | | | | In order to retain the soil and avoid its loss through |
| standards document of the International Federation | | | | erosion by the wind or rain, it helps to grow plants |
| of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) are: | | | | which bind it together. Banana plants and vetiver |
| • To produce food of high nutritional quality in | | | | grass are used for this at farmers’ gardens. Both |
| sufficient quantity | | | | of these have the additional benefit of providing |
| • To work with natural systems rather seeking to | | | | either a food crop (banana) or a useful farm material |
| dominate them | | | | in the form of mulch or animal feed (vetiver). Vetiver |
| • To encourage and enhance biological cycles | | | | grass has been used very successfully in more than |
| within the farming system, involving microorganisms, | | | | 50 countries for soil and water conservation. When |
| soil flora and fauna, plants and animals | | | | fully established, a vetiver hedge will hold back |
| • To maintain and increase the long-term fertility | | | | surface water and trap any soil which is already being |
| of soils | | | | carried in the water. |
| • To use as far as possible renewable resources | | | | Other methods of retaining soil include building |
| in locally organized agricultural systems | | | | terraces on steep slopes or using the gentler |
| • To avoid all forms of pollution that may result | | | | contours of the land to make flat areas in which rain |
| from agricultural activities | | | | water will rest until it has soaked naturally into the |
| • To maintain the genetic diversity of the | | | | ground instead of running swiftly down the slope, |
| agricultural system and its surroundings | | | | carrying away the surface soil. |
| • To allow agricultural producers an adequate | | | | Intercropping |
| return and satisfaction from their work including a | | | | Due to land pressure farmers maximize production by |
| safe working environment | | | | planting two or more crops in a single field. This has |
| These principles provide the basis for day-to-day | | | | the added advantage of reducing pests’ attack |
| farming practice. They directly give rise to the | | | | through reduced apparency of crops in a mixed |
| techniques of organic farming, such as composting, | | | | stand. Intercropping with legumes is also beneficial in |
| the use of rotations, the avoidance of soluble | | | | soil nitrogen enrichment by the nitrogen fixing |
| fertilizers, the prohibition of intensive livestock | | | | bacteria in the root nodules of legume crops. |
| operations, the avoidance of antibiotics and hormone | | | | Agroforestry |
| stimulants, the use of mechanical methods of weed | | | | This technology has great potential for soil fertility |
| control, etc. | | | | improvement, fruit tree domestication, sustainable |
| Organic farming has also been defined as “a | | | | tree seed systems and fodder for livestock |
| farming system which avoids or largely excludes the | | | | production. Various leguminous tree species are used |
| use of synthetically compounded fertilizers, pesticides, | | | | in agroforestry in Malawi. An example is Gliricidia |
| growth regulators and livestock feed additives”. | | | | sepium which is a preferred species of tree used in |
| To the maximum extent possible, organic farming | | | | this technology. Its leaves are rich in nitrogen (N), |
| systems rely on crop rotations, crop residues, animal | | | | sometimes up to 4% of the leaf biomass. A second |
| manures, legumes, green manures, off-farm organic | | | | quality is that the leaves provide organic matter, |
| wastes, and aspects of biological pest control to | | | | which help to improve the soil’s fertility and |
| maintain soil productivity and tilth, to supply plant | | | | structure. Research at Makoka and application of the |
| nutrients and to control insects, weeds and other | | | | technology at nearby farms has shown that Gliricidia |
| pests. | | | | intercropping helps to rejuvenate the soil and to |
| The definitions and principles of organic farming | | | | improve soil fertility, without the use of fertiliser. |
| underlie the notion of low input agriculture, which | | | | Results indicate a definite increase in the maize crop |
| emphasizes use of internal inputs and not external | | | | yield using the simultaneous intercropping with |
| inputs. Internal inputs are generally much cheaper and | | | | Gliricidia. The farmer can obtain yields of up to 3-4 |
| affordable compared to external inputs. | | | | tonnes. |
| Low In-put Agriculture Technology (LIAT) | | | | Permaculture |
| This is a production activity that uses synthetic | | | | Permaculture is about designing ecological human |
| fertilizers or pesticides below rates commonly | | | | habitats and food production systems. It is a land use |
| recommended. It does not mean elimination of these | | | | and community building movement which strives for |
| materials or inputs. Yields are maintained through | | | | the harmonious integration of human dwellings, |
| greater emphasis on cultural practices, integrated | | | | climate, annual and perennial plants, animals, soils, and |
| pest management (IPM), and utilization of on-farm | | | | water into stable, productive communities. |
| resources and management. LIAT has also been | | | | A central theme in permaculture is the design of |
| termed “low input and sustainable agriculture, | | | | ecological landscapes that produce food. Emphasis is |
| LISA)” by other schools of agriculture. The term | | | | placed on multi-use plants, cultural practices such as |
| in both cases applies to those systems that rely less | | | | sheet mulching and trellising, and the integration of |
| on external, purchased inputs and more on internal | | | | animals to recycle nutrients and graze weeds. |
| resources, while sustaining the natural resources. | | | | Permaculture can be applied to create productive |
| Sustainable Agriculture | | | | ecosystems from the human- use standpoint or to |
| Sustainable agriculture is an important element of the | | | | help degraded ecosystems recover health and |
| overall effort to make human activities compatible | | | | wildness. Permaculture can be applied in any |
| with the demands of the earth's eco-system. Thus, | | | | ecosystem, no matter how degraded it may be. |
| an understanding of the different approaches to | | | | Permaculture demonstration sites in Malawi have |
| ecological agriculture is necessary if we want to utilise | | | | short-term objectives all of which are aimed at |
| the planet's resources wisely. | | | | demonstrating to local subsistence farmers the |
| While sustainable agriculture is based on long-term | | | | achievements of organic agriculture. Some of the |
| goals and not a specific set of farming practices, it is | | | | activities which are aimed at food production and |
| usually accompanied by a reduction of purchased | | | | income generating are; |
| inputs in favor of managing on-farm resources. A | | | | • Vegetable growing for: money, food, chicken |
| good example is reliance on biologically-fixed nitrogen | | | | food, compost manure, fish ponds; |
| from legumes as versus manufactured nitrogen | | | | • Poultry farming for: money, food, manure for |
| fertilizers. Low-input agriculture is one of several | | | | vegetables, manure for fish ponds; |
| alternative farming systems whose methods are | | | | • Fish farming for: money, food, fish pond manure |
| adaptable to sustainable agriculture. | | | | for vegetable growing; |
| Methodology | | | | • Woodlot for: money, timber, fuel; |
| The research on organic farming and LIAT was done | | | | • Cattle farming for: food, money (to fatten and |
| using interviews of key-informants from the Ministry | | | | sell), manure for vegetables and fish ponds; |
| of Agriculture and Food Security and those who | | | | • Crops (intercropping), one ridge having maize, |
| practice organic farming as a strategy of LIAT. Four | | | | beans and potatoes which are companion plants. This |
| visits to fifteen different key-informants were made. | | | | method is used for a number of reasons:o It |
| The farmers (key-informants) were purposefully | | | | increases long lasting fertility;o It is a cheaper way of |
| selected on the merit of known cases of LIA and | | | | farming;o It avoids soil and water chemical |
| organic farming in Malawi. An interview questionnaire | | | | contamination. |
| was administered at each visit to solicit information | | | | Mulching |
| related to the research questions “what are the | | | | Water infiltration depends on there being sufficient |
| challenges of adoption of organic farming faced by | | | | porosity in the surface soil for rainfall to infiltrate, and |
| farmers in Malawi?” and “what LIATs are | | | | in the subsoil and parent material (if shallow) for |
| currently practiced in Malawi?” Internet search | | | | rainwater to percolate. The overriding approach |
| was also used to get more literature on organic | | | | should be to instill in society, and in farmers, |
| farming and LIAT in sub-Sahara Africa and Malawi. | | | | extensionists and researchers in particular, the will to |
| The search words used were low-input agricultute, | | | | create and sustain soil conditions that encourage the |
| organic farming, Malawi, sub-Sahara Africa, | | | | infiltration of rainfall where it falls, and to counteract |
| subsistence agriculture. | | | | the causes of runoff. This implies that the porosity of |
| Results | | | | the soil must be at least maintained, or increased. |
| Views of Malawi Organic Growers Association | | | | Discussion |
| (MOGA) | | | | Low-input agriculture has emerged as an important |
| Africa is the only continent in which food production | | | | issue as its popularity is motivated and supported by |
| has failed to keep up with the growth in population. | | | | growing evidence of environmental and health risks |
| In Malawi, where there is a shortage of the staple | | | | from agrichemicals. The drop in commodity prices and |
| food, maize, hunger and malnutrition result in high | | | | farm equity value which occurred in 1981-87 has |
| infant mortality. Here, some farmers are | | | | rekindled interest in developing cost-reducing |
| experimenting with organic farming systems - which | | | | technologies. |
| do not rely on man-made chemicals - and their | | | | Sub-Saharan Africa agricultural production is currently |
| techniques are being observed by farmer groups | | | | challenged by many constraints faced by farmers |
| from other countries. The methods being used | | | | across Africa. While some areas offer high |
| involve a combination of irrigation, companion planting, | | | | productivity and have been intensively cultivated, |
| composting and soil conservation. Currently there are | | | | others are plagued by low soil fertility, poor access to |
| 2,400 smallholder farmers in fourteen farmer clubs | | | | resources such as water, infrastructure and markets. |
| that practice organic farming in Malawi. These are | | | | Organic farming offers potential for smallholder |
| closely supervised by the Malawi Organic Growers | | | | farmers to improve their livelihood both through |
| Association (MOGA), whose objective is to promote | | | | increased yield and access to markets. However, it is |
| organic farming on a national level so that it | | | | not as easy to embark on organic farming and new |
| contributes to poverty reduction, food security and | | | | levels of organization and investment are required |
| natural resources management through training of its | | | | from government, non-governmental organizations |
| members. The objective of MOGA will be achieved | | | | (NGOs) and households. |
| through the following activities; | | | | In Malawi over 90% of the population is engaged in |
| • Promoting and protecting the interests of | | | | Agricultural production which contributes 38.6% of |
| organic producers | | | | the national gross domestic product, 80% of the |
| • Selecting suitable crops and coordinating and | | | | export earnings and employs 80% of the labour |
| monitoring production among members | | | | force (A Guide to Agricultural Production and Natural |
| • Setting rules for standardization and certification | | | | Resources Management, 2005). According to the |
| of organic products which are accepted nationally and | | | | Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the main |
| internationally | | | | Agriculture sub-sectors include crops contributing |
| • Assisting farmer members increase their | | | | about 80%, livestock contributing 13% and fisheries |
| production levels, crop diversification and food | | | | contributing about 6%. Over 95% of the farmers are |
| security | | | | smallholders with landholdings ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 |
| • Establishing contacts for marketing at national, | | | | acres. The majority of these smallholder farmers |
| regional and international levels | | | | have rich indigenous knowledge that has sustained |
| • Informing and training members in post-harvest | | | | their livelihoods, food security as well as land |
| processing to add value to products | | | | productivity for hundreds of years with very little or |
| MOGA has also established a demonstration and | | | | no use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides and veterinary |
| training centre for organic farming in Dzalanyama, | | | | drugs. However they have limited capital. |
| Lilongwe. It is also promoting a project (permaculture) | | | | Malawi is among the least users of artificial fertilizers |
| to protect ecosysytems where farmers used to cut | | | | and other agrichemicals in Africa with less than 14% |
| down trees for shifting cultivation. Permaculture is | | | | or 1 kg of fertilizer per hectare compared to |
| largely promoted at one of the farmers who practice | | | | sub-Sahara average of 9kg/ha . Malawi therefore has |
| organic farming. His farm is called “Freedom | | | | a high comparative advantage for organic agriculture |
| Gardens” and it acts as a demonstration garden | | | | production in Africa. |
| for other potential farmers who go to learn | | | | Developments in the organic agriculture sub-sector |
| permaculture and other strategies of organic farming | | | | have been driven by developments in international |
| Interview with Agriculture Expert (key-informant) | | | | markets and trade. The world market for organic |
| Experts from the MOGA gave their views on LIA | | | | products is now estimated to be above 30 billion US |
| and organic agriculture. The discussion with the | | | | dollars. Average global growth in demand and market |
| researcher (RS) and Agriculture Expert (AE) went as | | | | of organic products is currently estimated to be 25% |
| follows; | | | | per year (Grolink 2004). The growing consumer |
| RS. What are the advantages of turning to organic | | | | interest triggered off rapid growth in international |
| agriculture? | | | | trade in organic products. The trading environment is |
| AE: It's difficult to generalize, because examples of | | | | witnessing changes due to; |
| successful organic farming systems can be found in | | | | • Increased consumer concerns for the health and |
| many different conditions. A major advantage of | | | | safety. |
| course is that it stops environmental degradation. | | | | • Increased consumer consciousness regarding the |
| Organic techniques are used to regenerate degraded | | | | environment and social issuesof production and |
| areas. A second advantage is that, because of | | | | marketing. |
| diversification, it offers farmers a much more secure | | | | The demand for Malawi Organic products in the |
| income than when they rely on only one or two | | | | international markets is growing, unfortunately is not |
| outputs. The consumption of byproducts improves | | | | yet marched by the supply. This is demonstrated by |
| the health of the farm family. | | | | the number of business contracts being received by |
| Thirdly, farmers maintain nutrient balances in the soil | | | | MOGA and the government. |
| through locally available organic materials or recycled | | | | Challenges |
| farm wastes. Soil nutritional status is thus better | | | | The Agriculture sector in general faces some |
| maintained in areas where access to synthetic inputs | | | | challenges broadly categorized as lack of capital, low |
| is limited or where they are too expensive. | | | | production and productivity, poor marketing system, |
| Finally, health hazards posed by pesticides and | | | | human resource constraints and reliance on |
| herbicides fall are significantly reduced through organic | | | | unpredictable weather conditions. The African farmer |
| farming. | | | | is further constrained by increase in migration to |
| RS: Exactly what is low-external-input agriculture; | | | | urban settlements and HIV and AIDs. However, the |
| what are its principles? | | | | specific challenges in the Organic Sub-sector are:- |
| AE: Low-external-input farming reduces as much as | | | | • Low investment in organic agriculture production |
| possible the use of external inputs like pesticides, | | | | leading to failure in fulfilling existing market |
| herbicides and synthetic fertilizers and replaces them | | | | opportunities/orders |
| with internal inputs. The basic principle is that farming | | | | • Limited research in organic agriculture. |
| is seen as both agro- and ecosystem management. | | | | • Limited extension services delivery in organic |
| The farmer is managing a farm with coherent | | | | agriculture. |
| diversity. The important concepts are diversification | | | | • High costs of international inspection and |
| of crops and animals, crop rotation, and organic | | | | certification. |
| matter cycles. Low-external-input agriculture does not | | | | • Lack of internationally recognized local organic |
| prohibit synthetic inputs. It's just that when the | | | | certification body. |
| principles are applied, the need for synthetics | | | | • Inadequate documentation on organic agriculture. |
| disappears. Mixed cropping, green manuring, | | | | • Demand outpaces supply |
| composting, use of local organic materials, reduced | | | | • Lack of organized smallholders groups to |
| tillage and biodynamic preparations are also included. | | | | consistently raise volumes to meet market orders. |
| These things are little more than common sense. | | | | • Absence of an explicit policy on Organic |
| Developing these skills with the farmer is the biggest | | | | Agriculture. |
| problem. | | | | Conclusion |
| RS: How accepted is organic agriculture today? | | | | Several factors have come together in recent years |
| AE: Organic farming isn't exactly new. Many so-called | | | | which highlight the necessity for a fundamental |
| traditional systems have worked for a long time | | | | review of agricultural activities. The traditional goal of |
| without external inputs and chemicals - and are still | | | | maximizing output is being countered by widespread |
| working. The best proof that organic farming can | | | | concern of the environment, and by the growing |
| work is that it has worked for a long time. This | | | | realization that finite natural resources need to be |
| doesn't mean it can't be improved. It certainly has to | | | | more carefully managed. Organic farming has a |
| be. But to improve it, it's not necessary to use | | | | positive contribution to make as it is dependent upon |
| external inputs. There are other ways. Here I feel | | | | maintaining ecological balance and developing biological |
| FAO is weak. The Organization feels that agricultural | | | | processes to their maximum. The preservation of soil |
| improvement means putting in chemicals. That's a | | | | structure, earthworms, microorganisms and insects is |
| one-sided view. In some cases, that approach is | | | | essential to the working of an organic system. |
| viable, but in others it's not. And I feel we have a | | | | Therefore the protection of the soil and environment |
| role to play in developing traditional systems that are | | | | is fundamental for the organic farmer. |
| still low-external-input without chemicals. The means | | | | References |
| to do this involves the concept of nutrient balances | | | | A Guide to Agricultural Production and Natural |
| including organic matter. Science today has a lot more | | | | Resources Management. 2005. Ministry of Agriculture |
| information about what is happening with soil | | | | and Food Security, Lilongwe, Malawi. |
| resources, and with these data many traditional | | | | Altieri, M. 1987. Agro ecology-the scientific basis for |
| systems can be improved without chemicals. | | | | alternative agriculture. Intermediate Technology |
| RS: Most districts in Malawi have very high population | | | | Publications, London. |
| densities, how can low-external-input agriculture work | | | | Balfour, E. 1975. The Living Soil and the Haughley |
| in places like these? | | | | Experiment. Universe Books, New York. |
| AE: The fact is that very often systems are being | | | | Daberkow, S.G. and K.H. Reichelderfer. 1988. |
| degraded because the external inputs are not | | | | Low-Input Agriculture: Trends, Goals, and Prospects |
| properly used. In organic farming, the need for | | | | for Input Use. American Journal of Agriculture |
| external inputs is reduced through nutrient cycling and | | | | Economics. 70 (5). Pp 1159-1166. |
| an input like labour. When other external inputs are | | | | Grolink . 2004 |
| necessary, they are organic materials. You can make | | | | Howard, A. 1948. An Agriculture Testament. Oxford |
| biologically intensive production systems with above | | | | University Press, London. |
| average yields, employing more people, using | | | | Knorr, D. 1982. Sustainable Food Systems. AVI |
| renewable, organic resources. | | | | Publishing, Westport. Conn. |
| Admittedly, you have to balance population pressures | | | | Lampkin, N. 1990. Organic Farming. Farming Press, UK. |
| to some degree as well. If you have degraded soils, | | | | Lindenbach-Gibson, R and Gray, R. Low-Input |
| you need to build up soil fertility, and when the | | | | Agriculture Gap Analysis. Centre for Agriculture |
| fertility is there you have to try to maintain it. The | | | | Studies, University of Saskatchewan. |
| problem at the moment is that people have tried for | | | | |