In the heart of Joto Village, Nkhata Bay North, Mrs Maria Longwe, a subsistence farmer and mother of six, is working to overcome the devastating effects of climate change, rising input costs, and land degradation. Her family, like many others in rural Malawi, has struggled with poor harvests and food shortages, but through Temwa’s Farmer Field Schools (FFS) program, hope is being restored. 

For years, Maria and her husband relied on farming as their main source of food and income, cultivating maize and tobacco on more than five acres of inherited land. However, starting in 2015, the family faced an alarming decline in crop productivity. High fertilizer prices, unpredictable rainfall patterns, and pest outbreaks forced them to reduce their farmed land and turn to poorly paid casual labour to survive. “We are producing less than 20 bags of maize to feed our family of nine, and it is never enough,” Maria explains. The food shortages have placed immense strain on their ability to afford basic needs like health care and education for their children. 

This situation reflects the broader crisis affecting farming communities across Malawi. As droughts and climate shocks become more frequent, families reliant on traditional farming methods are among the hardest hit. In a recent address, President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera stated that the country “is not out of the woods yet” regarding the crises, citing that 5.7 million Malawians like Maria and her family are still affected because of prolonged droughts and, consequently, poor harvests.  90% of households in Nkhata Bay North depend on subsistence farming, yet climate change and ongoing crises has led to poor yields, food insecurity, and deepening poverty in the region. The FFS program equips farmers with practical solutions to these challenges by promoting sustainable agriculture practices that restore degraded land, improve soil fertility, and increase crop yields. 

In February 2024, Maria and community members of Joto Village reached out to Temwa after witnessing the positive changes brought to nearby villages like Denthema and Yakwapula, where farmers were harvesting more food and utilizing sustainable practices. Through the Farmer Field School program, Maria has gained essential skills in making organic manure, conserving soil and water, and planting a variety of crops to diversify her family’s food supply. “I now have the knowledge to restore soil fertility and harvest enough to feed my family,” she says. 

Temwa’s approach addresses both short-term food insecurity and long-term resilience. Farmers learn to rely on locally available resources, such as compost manure, to replace costly chemical fertilizers at the behest of the market, while also adopting techniques like crop diversification and agroforestry. These methods, highlighted in Temwa’s mid-term report, have proven effective across the region, with participating farmers reporting improved yields and more consistent harvests despite erratic rainfall. 

Beyond her own farm, Maria hopes to share her newfound knowledge with members of her community. “In the long run, Joto should have farmers practicing sustainable agriculture and harvesting more food,” she envisions. She also believes that introducing livestock, such as goats, pigs, and cattle, would enhance sustainability by providing manure and additional income opportunities for families in Joto Village. 

Maria’s story is one of determination and community-driven progress. Already, Temwa has contributed to Joto’s development by supporting tree-planting initiatives, which have restored bare lands and created new income opportunities for farmers harvesting timber. Now, through the FFS, Temwa is equipping Joto’s farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the face of climate change. 

As Malawi continues to face the harsh realities of the drought crisis, programs like Temwa’s FFS are proving essential. By promoting sustainable agriculture, building community resilience, and restoring degraded farmland, Temwa is ensuring that families like Maria Longwe’s can break free from cycles of food insecurity and poverty. 

For Maria and her family, the journey is just beginning, but the impact is already clear: “With the training I’ve received, I am sure we will harvest more to support our family. Food is life, and money will follow.” 

Find out more about Farmer Field School in our latest report here.