Matilda Buwa, a 63-year-old farmer from Kakopa village in T/A Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota, faced a common challenge shared by many smallholder farmers: low crop yields due to the prohibitive cost of commercial fertilizer. However, Matilda’s determination and ingenuity led her to forge a path of success through innovation and resourcefulness, with the support of FOCCAD’s extension services.

Recognizing the need for an alternative to costly fertilizers, Matilda embarked on a locally available resources, she devised a simple yet effective solution: homemade manure which she was trained by FOCCAD . By blending ash, goat droppings, and maize bran with water and allowing it to decompose over three weeks, Matilda created a nutrient-rich fertilizer tailored to her crops’ needs.

The results were nothing short of remarkable. Matilda’s maize and rice fields flourished under the application of her homemade manure, exhibiting vigorous growth, increased productivity, and enhanced resilience to drought.

“Instead of purchasing expensive fertilizers, I redirected my limited funds towards essential farming activities and household needs” Said Matilda. This newfound freedom empowered Matilda to invest in additional food, seeds, tools, and farming items, further boosting productivity and self-sufficiency on her farm.