Full Length Research Paper

Farmer participatory assessment of two researcher-managed ‘fertilizer tree systems

in Southern Malawi

Akinnifesi F. K.^1*, Makumba W.², Sileshi G. W.¹ and Ajayi O. C.¹

¹World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Chitedze Agricultural Research Station, P.O. Box 30798, Lilongwe, Malawi.

²Department of Agricultural Research and Technical Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Lilongwe, Malawi.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: f.akinnfesi@cgiar.org.

Accepted 20 March, 2009

   Abstract

The suitability of maize under two fertilizer tree fallow systems were evaluated by farmers at Makoka Agricultural Research Station in southern Malawi. Sixty-eight farmers drawn from five farmer groups assessed Gliricidia-maize intercropping system, and 72 farmers assessed rotational fallows with 10 trees species during 2001. Fertilizer treatments and maize plots served as controls. Gliricidia-maize plot without fertilizer amendment and maize fertilized with 50% of the recommended N doze in Gliricidia-maize intercropping were judged as "best" by the majority (60-71%) of farmers involved in assessing the technologies in groups as well as individuals.  Among the rotational fallows, the majority of farmers had ranked maize cropped after Tephrosia vogelli, Gliricidia sepium and Sesbania sesban higher than with fertilized monoculture maize. The unfertilized maize plot was adjudged unsuitable by 96% of the farmers. Maize plots supplied with 50% of the recommended N dose were less preferred to unfertilized Gliricidia-maize plots.  

Key words: Nitrogen-fixing trees, agroforestry, farmer preferences, fertilizer supplementation, Malawi.