COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF MAIZE YIELD RESPONSE TO ORGANIC

FERTILIZER A MONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS : A STUDY OF ADOPTERS AND

NON ADOPTERS AT CHITSIME EPA IN MALAWI

BY

MARIA MPIRA
( 190100014)

A RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF

DEVELOPMENT STUDIES IN A PARTIAL FULFULLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT.

Lilongwe University of agriculture and natural resources,

Bunda college campus,
Department of agribusiness,
P.O. BOX 219,
Lilongwe,
Malawi.
LIST OF ACRONYMS

EP Extension Planning Area

IFOA International Federation Organic Agriculture Movement
FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation
CCARDESA Center for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for
Southern Africa
GDP Gross Domestic product
FISP Farm Input Subsidy Program
AIP Affordable Input Program
LLADD Lilongwe Agricultural Development Division
PSS Proportionate Probability Sampling
OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation Development
Contents

.....................................................................................................................1
1. Introduction.............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 background........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Problem statement.............................................................................................................................2
1.3 Justification..................................................................................................................................2
1.4 Objectives of the study......................................................................................................................3
1.41 Main objective.............................................................................................................................3
1.42 Specific objectives.......................................................................................................................3
1.43 Research questions.......................................................................................................................3
2.0 Literature Review..................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Factors Influencing farmers adoption of Organic fertilizer................................................................4
3.0 Methodology.........................................................................................................................................5
3.1 study area...........................................................................................................................................5
3.2 Data source and data collection methods...........................................................................................5
3.3 sampling procedure............................................................................................................................6
3.4 sampling design.................................................................................................................................6
3.5 data collection instrument..................................................................................................................6
3.6 data analysis......................................................................................................................................7
3.7 Expected output and impact...............................................................................................................7
4.0 Work plan..............................................................................................................................................7
5.0 budget....................................................................................................................................................8
6.0 References.............................................................................................................................................9
1. Introduction
1.1 background
There is some evidence of steady progress in adoption over time for the case of organic fertilizer
around the world with 72 million hectors of organic agricultural land and 3 million certified
organic producers (IFOAM, organic farming and organic agriculture, 2021). This is so as
countries have become more aware of the impact of chemical fertilizers on the environment
(Willer, 2020).Organic fertilizer adoption in developed countries is driven with the majority of
the countries now recognizing the potential benefits of using organic fertilizer to improve soil
health, crop yields, and overall agricultural productivity (Kellogg Garden Organics,
2022).Despite the benefits of organic fertilizers their use in sub-Saharan African countries seems
to be low than compared to other developing countries (OECD/FAO, 2016). The organic
fertilizer sector s in Malawi is largely underdeveloped with an estimated usage of less than 5% of
the available arable land.

Organic fertilizer use has been gaining popularity in latest years due to its a range of benefits for
both the environment and crops (Kellogg Garden Organics, 2022). Organic fertilizers are made
from natural sources such as animal manure, compost, and plant debris, which are affluent in
vitamins and minerals quintessential for plant growth. Unlike artificial fertilizers, organic
fertilizers are slowly released, supplying a continuous provide of dietary vitamins to plants at the
same time as reducing the dangers of nutrient imbalance and leaching (Kellogg Garden Organics,
2022).

Research has proven that the use of natural fertilizers can lead to extended crop yields (Kellogg
Garden Organics, 2022). This is due to the fact that organic fertilizers enhance soil fitness and
make higher the availability of vitamins to plants. The herbal compounds in natural fertilizers
also promote soil microbiome diversity and make contributions to better water retention in the
soil.Studies have additionally proven that plants grown with natural fertilizers have better
quality, taste, and nutritional price compared to those grown with synthetic fertilizers.
Additionally, natural fertilizers contribute to the long-term enchancment of soil fertility, making
it a greater sustainable option.

Malawi’s economy relies much on agriculture and it contributes to about 31% of its GDP,
accounting for more than 90% of export earnings and supports 85% of the total population living
in rural areas. (CCARDESA, 2022). Agriculture in Malawi is characterized to be of low
productivity minimum application of organic fertilizer, minimum use of technology and
dependency on rain fed farming systems (christopher chibwana, 2011). In Malawi agriculture is
dominated by smallholder maize producing farmers. According to (Malawi goverment, 2018),
Malawi should employ management practices such as use of organic fertilizer in order to address
environmental and soil fertility issues.

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Maize being the staple food of Malawi its production and productivity plays an important role in
ascertaining both household and national food insecurity. Maize helps to attain food security as it
serves as a reliable food source throughout the year (FAO, 2017). Maize also serves as an
income generating source for Malawian smallholder farmers through the selling of surplus maize
produced. The production of maize and its related activities create job opportunities to many
smallholder farmers for example weeding, harvesting and post harvesting activities require labor.
In Malawi 60% of the total cropped land is devoted to maize production (FAO, 2017). Maize
production also accounts for 25 % 0f the agricultural employment, meaning that maize is an
income generating crop. Maize is grown by 97 % of the of the farming households in Malawi
and accounts for 60% of the total calorie consumption (nelson mango, 2018)

1.2 Problem statement

Due to factors like; low productivity, minimal technological use and small sizes of farming land
only 28% of farmers in Malawi produce surplus maize and sell their production (MALAWI,
2020). The low productivity is characterized by land degradation due to monocropping and soil
infertility due to intensive use of chemicals and inorganic fertilizer (lunduka, 2012) . Increase in
price of the in organic fertilizer also contributes to low productivity of maize crop by making
some not to apply fertilizer at all or switch to other crops that do not require fertilizer like soya
beans. Thou the government is making efforts through the introduction of farm input subsidy
program (FISP) which is now called the affordable input program(AIP),to improve food self-
sufficiency of resource-power smallholder farmers and income through increased maize
production (FAO, 2017), these are still not enough as the beneficiaries are only given two bags
of fertilizer , one for basal dressing and the other one for top dressing regardless of the
individuals household size and land size. These factors are causing a decline in maize yields
which is causing food insecurity and malnutrition challenges in Malawi. This problem can be
addressed by adoption of some farming techniques like the use of organic fertilizer which can be
made from decayed plants and animal feces. Organic fertilizer helps to improve both soil fertility
and soil structure. This study aims at aims at comparing maize yields response between adopters
of organic fertilizer and non-adopters in order to come up with solutions and recommendations
of what needs to be improved on organic fertilizer use and encourage non adopters to start
adopting.

1.3 Justification
Despite the decrease in the levels of maize produced, from 3.3 million tons in 2019 to 3.1 million
tons in 2020 (MALAWI, 2020), there has not been any measures taken towards the promotion of
organic fertilizer in maize production because of lack of information on organic fertilizer use.
This study will help to equip both adopters and non-adopters of organic fertilizer with
information on how they can make earnings and also help to improve food security and
malnutrition challenges by practicing the use of organic fertilizer on maize production. The

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information from this study will also help policy makers in making decisions as to whether
resources should be directed toward the promotion of the same to other equally important issues.

1.4 Objectives of the study

1.41 Main objective
 To compare maize yields response to organic fertilizer among adopters and non adopters
small holder farmers in Malawi.

1.42 Specific objectives

 To assess the utilization levels of organic fertilizer among smallholder maize farmers
 To assess the factors affecting adoption of organic fertilizer use among smallholder
farmers
 To assess the impact of organic fertilizer on maize yields.

1.43 Research questions

 What are the utilization levels of organic fertilizer
 What is the impact of organic adoption on maize yields.

 Is it economically important to produce maize using organic fertilizer?

2.0 Literature Review

The use of fertilizers is indispensable in alleviating nutrient constraints and is important in soil
fertility management for improved crop production. Today, a wide range of fertilizers are
required to maintain soil fertility and sustainable agricultural systems in Malawi due to loss of
soil nutrients. Organic manure application has been neglected in recent years, reflecting the
rapid replacement with synthetic fertilizer. Exploration of the restorative effect of organic
manure on the soil fertility, quality and sustainable productivity is urgently needed. (Ceceri &
Allanore, 2019)
One of the most important cereals in SSA is maize (Zea mays L.). It is a staple food for over 600
million people in the region. In the case of Uganda, it is the most grown cereal crop in both
acreage and production as well as the second largest consumer of mineral fertilizers in the
country. However, maize yields across the country remain low when compared to acreage of
land under production with a decreasing trend over several years. For instance, in 2013, average
maize yields were 2.395 t ha-1 as compared to 2.353 t ha−1 in 2015, which represents a 6%
decrease in yield. During the same period, usage of Nitrogen (N) fertilizers on agricultural fields
decreased despite a 2% increase in land under maize production. The consequence of these

3
figures is stressed by Masso et al. ,2017. who reported that more than 80% of agricultural land
in East Africa is N deficient due to over mining of soil nutrients especially with crop harvests
with insufficient or no replacement for the lost nutrients. The use of fertilizers to increase crop
yields is, therefore, inevitable. fertilizer usage can lead to an increase in crop yield in SSA of
about 30%–50% in the next 30 years (Ceceri & Allanore, 2019). While there is increased
advocacy for use of inorganic fertilizers, their excessive use is associated with soil, water, and air
pollution (Chandini R. , 2019). Furthermore, inorganic fertilizers are expensive and their use
may not be economically justifiable especially for the poor smallholder farmers who mainly
practice subsistence farming. The use of organic amendments such as cattle manure is an
alternative to these detrimental effects of inorganic fertilizers because of its wide-spread
availability, its additional value for soil carbon sequestration, and its capacity for storing and
releasing nutrients over a longer time period. In Uganda, although a significant number of
farmers have adopted the use of cattle manure on their farms, they normally use it untreated and
directly from animal barns. This practice poses a threat to human health and crops due to a high
prevalence of pathogens in this untreated manure. On the other hand, the manure emits emissions
of carbon–dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), ammonia (NH3), and other
volatile substances. Such emissions are detrimental to the environment by contributing to global
warming, eutrophication, and acidification of ecosystems

2.1 Factors Influencing farmers adoption of Organic fertilizer

According to the results of an empirical analysis on the adoption of organic agricultural
technology by British farmers showed that age, information access, and the number of household
laborers had a significantly positive impact on the probability of adopting organic agricultural
technology. Farmer’s confidence in the successful use of the technology, their expectation of net
income, farm scale, and education all positively impacted the adoption of precision agriculture
technology. (Muller, Schader, & Scaialabba., 2017)

According to a study of farmers in Zhejiang Province, the per capita income, part-time nature,
types of agricultural products, market sales, information channels, farmers’ attitude toward risk,
and other factors significantly affected the technology adoption behavior of farmers. Godfray et
al. found that risk especially had a significantly negative impact on farmers’ adoption of organic
agricultural technology

In a survey of vegetable farmers in the Liaoning Province, the Heckman model was used to
analyze the factors influencing farmers’ adoption of sustainable production technology. The
results showed that the education level of the household, total household income, planting area of
household facilities, guidance of agricultural technicians, participation in training, and
observation had a significant positive impact on farmers’ adoption of sustainable production
technology. Factors such as environmental awareness, sales channels, government subsidies, and
publicity all had a positive impact on farmers’ willingness to adopt new technologies, whereas
farmers’ social network relationships and the ease of farmers adopting new technologies had a

4
negative impact on their willingness to adopt new technologies. Easterling and Crosson found
that understanding, information, management ability, and natural conditions were the factors
hindering farmers from adopting organic agriculture. Lohr et al. ,2000. analyzed farmers’
willingness to adopt organic agriculture in different countries from the perspective of agricultural
subsidies. Benbrook et al. analyzed the same from the perspective of market demand. Lobley et
al. reported that whether farmers adopt organic agriculture was significantly affected by
surrounding farmers. Chen Yusheng and other researchers found that profit expectation and the
strictness of external supervision had a positive impact on farmers’ adoption of organic
agriculture

Recently, the promotion of organic fertilizer usage has been highly promoted amongst farmers
globally not only due to the rising cost of chemical fertilizers but also due to other different
reasons. Organic fertilizers sustain the soil unlike inorganic ones by improving the soil’s texture,
water holding capacity, microbial activity as well as nutritional status. (Kellogg Garden
Organics, 2022). Most soils in Sub Saharan Africa are substantially degraded and in need of
restoration to promote sustainable food production to meet the growing population’s demand;
hence the need to improve soil health (Martey, 2018) The use of organic fertilizers also provides
an opportunity to recycle wastes from crop and plant residues hence reducing soil and water
pollution (B.C Verma, 2020). Another reason for the promotion of organic fertilizer use is the
fear of accumulation of dangerous chemicals in human bodies which cause a lot of diseases
(Chandini, 2019) since organic fertilizers do not pause any health hazards (Kateta, 2022).

Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare maize yields response to organic fertilizer among
adopters and non-adopters small holder farmers in Malawi

3.0 Methodology

3.1 study area

The research will be conducted at Nanjiri, Chitsime Extension planning area (EPA) in Lilongwe
under Lilongwe Agricultural Development Division ( LLADD) in the central central region of
Malawi.
The study area has been chosen because there are some projects of implementing the technology
of organic fertilizer use.

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3.2 Data source and data collection methods
The study will use primary data which will be collected through a survey direct from the
smallholder farmers using questionnaires.

3.3 sampling procedure

Multi-stage sampling method which will be a combination of purposive and stratified random
sampling Will used to determine the number of famers to be selected for the survey. At first there
will be identification and selection of EPA where the data will be collected, the EPA must
contain a number of both adopters and non adopters of organic fertilizer slholder maize growing
farmers. The famers will be selected using Proportionate Probability Sampling (PPS) method. In
the selected EPA a sample section will be selected using PPS method, after this villages in the
selected section will be selected using PPS method then finally households are going to be
selected using systematic sampling methods then the selected famers becomes the sample in
which the survey for the research will be conducted.

3.4 sampling design

A sample size of 60 samallholder maize farmers will be used to collect primary data, where 30
will be adopters of organic fertilizer and 30 non adopters of organic fertilizer.This sample will be
enough to represent the population, this number of respondents will help in making a reasonable
conclusion about the whole population. Below is the formula for calculating the sample size
[Z ¿¿ 2 ( 1− p ) p ]
n= 2
¿
e

Where
n represents sample size
p represents estimate of prevalence
e is desired level of sampling error
z is the desired degree of confidence

In this case the prevalence rate (p) is not known in this research, hence 50% will be used as
recommended for the unknown p. The desired degree of confidence represented by z = 1.96
while the allowance for sampling error is 10%.

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3.5 data collection instrument
A semi-structured questionnaire will be administered to the selected smallholder maize growing
farmers, both adopters and non adopters and the respondents will be recorded.

3.6 data analysis

OBJECTIVE 1: To assess the utilization levels of organic fertilizer among smallholder maize
growing farmers
Descriptive statistics will be used to analyze this objective.
Measures such as mean, median, mode and standard deviation will be calculated to understand
the central tendency, distribution and variability of organic fertilizer usage.

OBJECTIVE 2 : To assess the factors affecting adoption of organic fertilizer use among
smallholder maize growing farmers.
Multiple linear regression will be used to analyze this objectiveT
This will help to identify the relationship between the adoption of organic fertilizer which will be
the dependent variable and the factors like farm size and access to information which will be
independent variables.

OBJECTIVE 3 : TO Assess the impact of organic fertilizer on maize yields.

Multiple linear regression will be used to analyze this objective
This will help to assess the relation between organic fertilizer usage which is the independent
variable and maize yields which is the dependent variable. other relevant variables like soil type
and rainfall will be controlled.

3.7 Expected output and impact

The study aims at proving that using organic fertilizer is more productive than not using fertilizer
at all. The outcome informatiomation from this study will equip smallholder maize producing
farmers with knowledge on organic fertilizer and also policy makers in deciding to whether they
should allocate resources to organic farming implementing or not.

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4.0 Work plan

Activity Marc July 2023 August – Decembe January April

h- Novembe r 2023 -March 2024
June r 2023 2024
2023
Proposal
development
Proposal
presentation
Questionnair
e design
Data
collection
Data
processing
and analysis
Data
preparation
Final report
presentation
Report
submission

5.0 budget
Table 1.2

ITEM DESCRIPTION AMOUNT (MK)

Stationary Rims of plain papers, pens, pencils 5, 000
Transport To and from 30, 000
Printing Questionnaire, proposal and report 10, 000
Food Water, lunch 60, 000
Communication Airtime 10, 000
Contingency Uncertainties 15, 000
TOTAL 130, 000

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6.0 References
BBC News. (2017, january 2). How Fertilizers Helped Feed the World. Retrieved from
www.bbc.com: https://www.bing.com/search?q=how%20fertilizers%20helped%20feed
%20the
%20world&form=WNSGPH&qs=PW&cvid=06984d3a10c5424485ae82fe9629cf13&pq
=how%20fertilizers%20helped%20feed%20the%20world
CCARDESA. (2022). Malawi. Retrieved from CCARDESA: https://www.ccardesa.org/malawi
Centre for Agricultural Research and Development. (2014). Valid Nutrition.
christopher chibwana, m. f. (2011, june). measuring the impacts of malawi's farm input subsidy
program.
Environmental Agency. (2002). a handbook for scoping project. Environmental Agency.
FAO. (2017). country report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
FAO.
FAO. (2022, May 15). Matching grant programmes: an effective approach to channel
remittances into sustainable investment in agriculture. (FAO, Editor) Retrieved from
www.fao.org:
https:www.fao.org/fsnforum/activities/consultations/matching_grant_programmes
International Food Policy Research Institute. (2010). The Impacts of Agrucultural Input
Subsidies in Malawi. Lilongwe: International Food Policy Research Institute.
Kateta, M. W. (2022, April 11). Malawian Farmers Turn to Organic Altenatives as Fertilizer
Costs Rise. Retrieved from www.devet.com: https://www.devex.com/news/malawian-
farmers-turn-to-organic-alternatives-as-fertilizer-costs-rise-102980/amp
Kellogg Garden Organics. (2022). The Advantages of Organic Fertilizer Over Chemical
Fertilizer. Retrieved from kelloggggarden.com:
https://kellogggarden.com/blog/fertilizer/the-advantages-of-organic-fertilizers-over-
chemical-fertilizers/
lunduka, s. h. (2012, april). do fertilizer subsidies crowd out organic manures? the case of
malawi.
Malawi goverment. (2018). national agricultural investment plan. NAIP.
MALAWI, I. (2020). International food policy research institute.
Martey, E. (2018). Welfare effect of organic fertilizer use in Ghana. Heliyon, 1-3.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. (2011). Agricultural Input Subsidies in Sub Saharan
Africa. Denmark: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
Mseu, M. C. (2022, july 15). Resilience in agriculture: an unfinished agenda for Malawi .
Retrieved from blogs.worldbank.org: https://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/resilience-
agriculture-unfinished-agenda-now-overshadowed-pandemic
nelson mango, l. m. (2018). maize value chain analysis: a case of small holder maize production
and marketing in selected areas in malawi and mozambique.
New Global Food and Nutrition Security. (2022). Smallholder Irrigation and Vlue Addition
Project. Malawi.
OECD/FAO. (2016). Agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: Prospects and challenges for the next
decade. In OECD/FAO, Agricultural Outlook 2016-2025 (pp. 59-95). Paris: OECD
Publishing.
UNEP-WCMC. (2014). Environmental Impact Assessment. Cambridge,: UNEP-WCMC.
Retrieved from Biodiversity A-Z website.
USAID. (2022, september 15). Agriculture and Food Security. Retrieved from www.usaid.gov:
https://www.usaid.gov/malawi/agriculture-and-food-securty
World Bank. (2022, september 30). Agriculture and Food. Retrieved from worldbank.org/en:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/overview

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