In Jembe Village, Northern Malawi, Patrick Phiri has always relied on farming to provide for his wife and five children. Like many small-scale farmers in the region, his success depends on the land, the seasons, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Over the years, erratic rainfall, rising input costs, and soil degradation have made it harder to maintain a steady income. 

Despite these challenges, Patrick has found new opportunities through Temwa’s Farming Futures project, which has helped him shift towards more sustainable and profitable farming practices. His journey is one of resilience, adaptation, and a commitment to securing a better future for his family. 

Patrick’s main crops are maize and Irish potatoes, which he grows in both the rainy and winter seasons. However, the past year has been particularly difficult. Due to unpredictable rainfall, his maize crops tasselled before reaching full maturity, drastically reducing his expected yield. He had hoped to harvest at least 80 bags from his 2.5-acre field, but now he knows he won’t reach that target. 

Across Malawi, farmers are struggling with similar issues. The country is facing a prolonged drought crisis, intensified by climate change, El Niño weather patterns and the recent withdrawal of USAID. Many farmers have been forced to adapt to worsening conditions by diversifying their crops and seeking alternative methods to maintain soil fertility. For Patrick, Temwa’s support arrived at a crucial moment. 

Patrick first encountered Temwa in 2014 while working as a community leader in Usisya. He later became involved with Temwa Carbon Balance’s Project, learning about sustainable land management and reforestation. Then, in 2023, he joined the Farming Futures initiative when his community formed an Income-Generating Activity (IGA) group focused on Irish potato farming. 

Through this program, Temwa provided Patrick and 10 other farmers with Irish potato seeds to boost their yields and incomes. From his initial 11 tins of seed, Patrick harvested 20 tins, selling 16 tins at K9,000 (£4) per tin and keeping four for the next planting season. In 2024, he expanded his production, planting 14 tins and harvesting an impressive 110 tins. By selling 80 tins at prices ranging from K15,000 to K17,000 (£6 to £8) per tin, he earned K1.6 million (£70), a significant income boost. 

With this money, Patrick took a major step towards securing his family’s future, he began constructing a new home. Using his skills as a builder, he managed to complete the structure up to the window level. By the time his second maize harvest was completed, he had enough resources to finish roofing the house, allowing his family to move in. 

Beyond increasing his income, Patrick has also embraced sustainable farming methods. He has learned to make Mbeya manure, an organic fertilizer that helps maintain soil health without the high cost of synthetic inputs. His success in potato farming has motivated him to continue expanding his winter farming activities, ensuring year-round food security and financial stability. 

Through his work with Temwa, Patrick has also gained a deeper understanding of forest conservation and alternative income strategies. Many in his village have started shifting away from charcoal burning, a major driver of deforestation, towards more sustainable farming practices. Almost every member of the Irish potato farming group is making progress. We are learning that protecting our land is just as important as cultivating it. 

Patrick’s journey has not only transformed his own life but has also inspired his community. He hopes to serve as a role model, demonstrating that hard work, adaptation, and sustainable farming can provide long-term security: “I want to set a great example for my community and motivate others to work hard.” 

His experience with Temwa’s Farming Futures initiative proves that smallholder farmers can overcome the challenges posed by climate change with the right support and knowledge. Through innovative approaches and community-driven solutions, Patrick and many others in Jembe Village are building a more resilient and sustainable future, one harvest at a time. 

Read more about Farming Futures in our latest report here.