Newsletter
July 2025 newsletter
16 July 2025
The next generation of Deep Bed Farmers!
Now that the concepts of Deep Bed Farming are gaining increasing traction across Malawi, Tiyeni is increasingly turning its attention to the next generation. Tiyeni’s training manager, Godfrey Kumwenda, is just back from visiting a school in Blantyre so it seemed like a good time to ask him to tell us more.
M’bwana Children's Mission (MCM) operates a school and programme for orphaned and vulnerable children in Malawi, specifically in the M’bwana area near Blantyre. They provide a holistic approach to education, addressing basic needs such as clean water, nutritious meals, and healthcare, while also offering educational opportunities from early childhood to tertiary levels, vocational training and life skills. The school is located in a rural area in the north-east of Blantyre and comprises one hundred and sixteen students in standard 1-8 (approximately 6-18 years old). There are forty-eight girls and sixty-eight boys.
Howard Hibbs, retired from the US financial services industry and a supporter of MCM, notes that in M’bwana (and in many parts of Malawi) food insecurity is a large problem. The aim of MCM’s partnership with Tiyeni is to help the farmers to be food secure within five years. This means that the MCM community will be learning and using the Deep Bed Farming technology to improve their health and their financial situation starting now and into the future. This education starts with the farmers and continues with the MCM students and will be the standard method throughout the entire area for years to come.
Given the level of understanding of Deep Bed Farming and its benefits among the wider community, Tiyeni was invited to visit and talk to the students. The visit was part of a broader drive to engage students at school and university to explain the benefits of Deep Bed Farming. To date, our main engagement has been with the university sector, facilitating student groups to attend our field days and other relevant events. For example, students from the University of Livingstonia recently made a field visit to our hub in Emsizini to learn about Deep Bed Farming and understand how it and other associated conservation techniques are applied in practice. The visit to M’bwana School is an early example of our work to intensify and expand this engagement across more schools and regions in the country.
M’bwana School is a private school run by MCM. Now that Deep Bed Farming has received Government approval, it enables the technology to be taught in any school, public or private. Tiyeni is working to develop a handbook for use in schools. However, in the meantime, following the Government’s approval, Deep Bed Farming will be included in the next iteration of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Guide to Agriculture Production and Natural Resources Management in Malawi which will be published in 2026 and which will enable Deep Bed Farming to be taught in schools and universities nationwide. Alongside our handbook, inclusion in this publication will help to promote the technology widely.
Godfrey spent a lot of time with the students during his visit; talking to them about Deep Bed Farming and trying to gauge their level of interest in learning more about it. He was very impressed by their understanding of Deep Bed Farming and the other agricultural practices that their families are using at home. The students were very interested in Deep Bed Farming and demanded more in-depth training. As one student said: “We want to be trained on Deep Bed Farming, as some of us we will be farmers and learning farming while young will help us to conserve the soils”. Thirty-five of the students come from farming families, some of whom adopted Deep Bed Farming last year after being trained by Tiyeni. The students were aware of this and highlighted it in the session.
It wasn’t all about the students though. Godfrey also had a meeting with the teachers who were very supportive of the idea to provide more in-depth training for the students. The teachers are also planning to create a Deep Bed Farming demonstration plot at the school which will raise awareness among both students and parents and will also serve as a training centre for learners. As Howard says: “It is comforting that learners, both old and young, are embracing this technology”.
Our immediate next steps are to return to M’bwana School in the next month or two to provide more detailed training for the students, supported by the teachers and staff from MCM.
M’bwana Children's Mission (MCM) operates a school and programme for orphaned and vulnerable children in Malawi, specifically in the M’bwana area near Blantyre. They provide a holistic approach to education, addressing basic needs such as clean water, nutritious meals, and healthcare, while also offering educational opportunities from early childhood to tertiary levels, vocational training and life skills. The school is located in a rural area in the north-east of Blantyre and comprises one hundred and sixteen students in standard 1-8 (approximately 6-18 years old). There are forty-eight girls and sixty-eight boys.
Howard Hibbs, retired from the US financial services industry and a supporter of MCM, notes that in M’bwana (and in many parts of Malawi) food insecurity is a large problem. The aim of MCM’s partnership with Tiyeni is to help the farmers to be food secure within five years. This means that the MCM community will be learning and using the Deep Bed Farming technology to improve their health and their financial situation starting now and into the future. This education starts with the farmers and continues with the MCM students and will be the standard method throughout the entire area for years to come.
Given the level of understanding of Deep Bed Farming and its benefits among the wider community, Tiyeni was invited to visit and talk to the students. The visit was part of a broader drive to engage students at school and university to explain the benefits of Deep Bed Farming. To date, our main engagement has been with the university sector, facilitating student groups to attend our field days and other relevant events. For example, students from the University of Livingstonia recently made a field visit to our hub in Emsizini to learn about Deep Bed Farming and understand how it and other associated conservation techniques are applied in practice. The visit to M’bwana School is an early example of our work to intensify and expand this engagement across more schools and regions in the country.
M’bwana School is a private school run by MCM. Now that Deep Bed Farming has received Government approval, it enables the technology to be taught in any school, public or private. Tiyeni is working to develop a handbook for use in schools. However, in the meantime, following the Government’s approval, Deep Bed Farming will be included in the next iteration of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Guide to Agriculture Production and Natural Resources Management in Malawi which will be published in 2026 and which will enable Deep Bed Farming to be taught in schools and universities nationwide. Alongside our handbook, inclusion in this publication will help to promote the technology widely.
Godfrey spent a lot of time with the students during his visit; talking to them about Deep Bed Farming and trying to gauge their level of interest in learning more about it. He was very impressed by their understanding of Deep Bed Farming and the other agricultural practices that their families are using at home. The students were very interested in Deep Bed Farming and demanded more in-depth training. As one student said: “We want to be trained on Deep Bed Farming, as some of us we will be farmers and learning farming while young will help us to conserve the soils”. Thirty-five of the students come from farming families, some of whom adopted Deep Bed Farming last year after being trained by Tiyeni. The students were aware of this and highlighted it in the session.
It wasn’t all about the students though. Godfrey also had a meeting with the teachers who were very supportive of the idea to provide more in-depth training for the students. The teachers are also planning to create a Deep Bed Farming demonstration plot at the school which will raise awareness among both students and parents and will also serve as a training centre for learners. As Howard says: “It is comforting that learners, both old and young, are embracing this technology”.
Our immediate next steps are to return to M’bwana School in the next month or two to provide more detailed training for the students, supported by the teachers and staff from MCM.
Aftrak: innovation breeds success
Aftrak, the solar-powered micro-tractor which can prepare the ground for Deep Bed Farming, continues its winning ways. We thought it was high time that we asked Dr Toby Williams, Director of the newly-formed Aftrak Ltd, to update us.
After winning the prestigious Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy in 2024, Aftrak has continued to achieve success, claiming two prizes at an important awards ceremony in the UK in early 2025.
Aftrak won in the Energy and Environment category and then picked up the main Grand Prix award at The Engineer’s Collaborate to Innovate awards at The Institute of Civil Engineers in February. The prize is called Collaborate to Innovate and is a very fitting win for Aftrak since the novel technical innovation has been formed by extensive collaboration between Loughborough University, the Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI) and Tiyeni.
In the last twelve months, Aftrak has also become a limited company as a spin-out company from Loughborough University. Being a commercial entity was always part of the plan since to be sustainable in the long-term, Aftrak has to be commercially viable once the research and development phase is complete.
Since last summer, a village north of Mzuzu has been using a solar array to provide electricity to the community and a walk-behind tractor to convert more of their fields at a faster pace to Deep Bed Farming. They have now had these for almost the full agricultural cycle and have been providing continuous feedback to the engineers on what they like, what they don’t like, what works and what could be improved. Based on this feedback, Aftrak is currently in the process of developing a new iteration of the tractor. As well as responding to the farmers’ feedback, Aftrak is also getting new parts and focusing on scaling up. This means redesigning the tractor so that it can be manufactured at a larger scale (hundreds rather than tens), bringing the cost down for the end user and making it much more commercially viable in Malawi. In the medium term, Aftrak plans to create a manufacturing base in Malawi which would have a number of advantages: the creation of employment opportunities, providing training for service engineers who would be able to undertake repairs and regular maintenance and a sales hub.
Aftrak is also developing a second solar array to provide power for a school in a community in northern Mzuzu. This government primary school has more than four hundred students learning in two sessions. Because there is no electricity and therefore no lighting, currently teaching can only take place during daylight hours. Aftrak will establish a microgrid comprising six solar modules that will provide reliable and sustainable energy for lighting, phone charging, refrigeration and internet access to all school buildings and shared accommodation for teachers. The microgrid has a rated lifespan of five years and that rating is based on the batteries. Everything else is rated to last for at least ten years. The batteries are lead acid, not lithium, and are the same size as those used in trucks so that, if they degrade to the point where they are no longer useable (which might happen in approximately five to seven years’ time, depending on how the school uses its energy), it will be easy to find replacements in the local economy thus ensuring sustainability.
Aftrak is well on track with its aim to help address food and energy insecurity across Malawi where 89% of the population lives without access to electricity.
After winning the prestigious Milken-Motsepe Prize in Green Energy in 2024, Aftrak has continued to achieve success, claiming two prizes at an important awards ceremony in the UK in early 2025.
Aftrak won in the Energy and Environment category and then picked up the main Grand Prix award at The Engineer’s Collaborate to Innovate awards at The Institute of Civil Engineers in February. The prize is called Collaborate to Innovate and is a very fitting win for Aftrak since the novel technical innovation has been formed by extensive collaboration between Loughborough University, the Consortium for Battery Innovation (CBI) and Tiyeni.
In the last twelve months, Aftrak has also become a limited company as a spin-out company from Loughborough University. Being a commercial entity was always part of the plan since to be sustainable in the long-term, Aftrak has to be commercially viable once the research and development phase is complete.
Since last summer, a village north of Mzuzu has been using a solar array to provide electricity to the community and a walk-behind tractor to convert more of their fields at a faster pace to Deep Bed Farming. They have now had these for almost the full agricultural cycle and have been providing continuous feedback to the engineers on what they like, what they don’t like, what works and what could be improved. Based on this feedback, Aftrak is currently in the process of developing a new iteration of the tractor. As well as responding to the farmers’ feedback, Aftrak is also getting new parts and focusing on scaling up. This means redesigning the tractor so that it can be manufactured at a larger scale (hundreds rather than tens), bringing the cost down for the end user and making it much more commercially viable in Malawi. In the medium term, Aftrak plans to create a manufacturing base in Malawi which would have a number of advantages: the creation of employment opportunities, providing training for service engineers who would be able to undertake repairs and regular maintenance and a sales hub.
Aftrak is also developing a second solar array to provide power for a school in a community in northern Mzuzu. This government primary school has more than four hundred students learning in two sessions. Because there is no electricity and therefore no lighting, currently teaching can only take place during daylight hours. Aftrak will establish a microgrid comprising six solar modules that will provide reliable and sustainable energy for lighting, phone charging, refrigeration and internet access to all school buildings and shared accommodation for teachers. The microgrid has a rated lifespan of five years and that rating is based on the batteries. Everything else is rated to last for at least ten years. The batteries are lead acid, not lithium, and are the same size as those used in trucks so that, if they degrade to the point where they are no longer useable (which might happen in approximately five to seven years’ time, depending on how the school uses its energy), it will be easy to find replacements in the local economy thus ensuring sustainability.
Aftrak is well on track with its aim to help address food and energy insecurity across Malawi where 89% of the population lives without access to electricity.
Meet Mable Chiphaliwali, Tiyeni's new Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant Officer
Mable Chiphaliwali is our new Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Assistant Officer, working on the Lunyangwa River Watershed Project funded by the Global Innovation Fund (GIF). Based in Mzuzu, Northern Malawi, her role involves supporting data collection, community engagement and monitoring activity on the ground. She talked to us about her new job.
Tell us a bit about your background. What were you doing before you joined Tiyeni?
I studied Agricultural Economics at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), where I built a strong foundation in sustainable agriculture, rural development, and policy analysis. Over the years, I have worked in several roles within government and non-governmental organisations.
Before joining Tiyeni, I worked as a Planning Officer Intern at the Mwanza District Agriculture Office. Before that, I served as a Water Monitoring Assistant at the district's water department. I have also worked with YouthWave as an M&E Assistant from 2016 to 2017, and from 2019 to 2023, I was involved in various survey assignments and temporary contracts with different organisations. These experiences have shaped my passion for development work and prepared me well for my current role with Tiyeni.
How did you hear about Tiyeni? Why did you decide to apply for this job?
I came across the job advertisement in a WhatsApp group for agriculture graduates in Malawi. Curious to learn more, I searched online for information about Tiyeni and was immediately drawn to their mission and the Deep Bed Farming approach. I saw how well their work aligns with my field of expertise and my passion for sustainable agriculture. When I saw the Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant Officer position under the GIF-funded project, I knew it was the perfect fit. I applied, and I was fortunate to be selected. It’s been a rewarding journey so far.
Your job is M&E Assistant Officer. What does that involve?
As the M&E Assistant Officer for the Lunyangwa Watershed Project, I support the project team in tracking progress, measuring outcomes and ensuring that the data we collect informs both implementation and reporting. My role is part of the core project team and I report directly to the Project Manager, while also receiving technical guidance from Tiyeni’s Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at the organisational level.
My daily responsibilities include developing and enhancing data collection tools, planning and conducting field monitoring visits, supporting the collection of baseline and routine data and ensuring that field information is accurately documented and analysed. I work closely with the two Project Officers, particularly when coordinating with farmers, community groups, and field staff during data collection.
I also assist in preparing internal updates, contribute to drafting progress reports and support indicator tracking based on the project’s results framework. My role enables me to engage with both field realities and technical reporting requirements. It’s a demanding but rewarding position, and it has allowed me to apply my skills while continuing to develop professionally within a dedicated, impact-focused team.
The Lunyangwa Watershed Project is an exciting and important project. Can you tell us a bit about it?
The Lunyangwa Watershed Project is a four-year initiative funded by the Global Innovation Fund (GIF) and implemented by Tiyeni in partnership with the Northern Region Water Board and SIWI. The project aims to restore the Lunyangwa River catchment, which serves as a vital water source for Mzuzu City. The project tackles urgent issues like soil erosion, water insecurity and declining agricultural productivity. Using Tiyeni’s Deep Bed Farming method and other conservation practices, we assist farmers in improving their land, increasing yields and building resilience to climate change. The project also promotes Integrated Water Resources Management and community-led approaches to ensure sustainable and locally-driven changes.
The project has just had its launch. What form did that take?
The project was officially launched on 30 April at Emsizini EPA in Chiwiri Section. It was a lively and inspiring event that brought together farmers, traditional leaders, government officials and representatives from key partners such as the Northern Region Water Board and SIWI.
The launch featured speeches, a presentation of the project’s objectives and practical demonstrations of conservation techniques, including Deep Bed Farming. It was encouraging to see the excitement and interest from both community members and stakeholders and it set the tone for strong collaboration throughout the project.
This is a four-year project. What will be different in 2029 because of it?
By 2029, we anticipate significant progress both environmentally and socially within the Lunyangwa River catchment. However, we recognise that genuine change, particularly in land restoration and behaviour modification, requires time and sustained effort.
One of the main anticipated changes is the restoration of degraded landscapes in regions most affected by erosion. By promoting Deep Bed Farming and other conservation methods, farmers will be better equipped to manage soil, conserve moisture and increase their yields. This will not only enhance food production but also decrease the sediment flow into the Lunyangwa River, gradually improving water quality and flow during the dry season.
Our goal is to reach and train over 17,000 farmers and, depending on community interest and early participation rates, we expect to connect even more. We anticipate an adoption rate of around 70%, meaning most trained farmers will actively use Deep Bed Farming and conservation farming methods by the end of the project. This level of uptake could result in clear improvements in soil health, crop yields and household food security.
Institutionally, we also aim to enhance community ownership of watershed protection through ongoing engagement, training and support of farmer groups and local structures. However, we recognise challenges such as land pressure, changing climate patterns and limited resources, so our approach remains adaptable.
While we may not witness full ecosystem restoration in just four years, we will have established the foundation for lasting change. We will also accumulate valuable evidence and lessons to guide replication in other watersheds across Malawi, supporting national efforts in climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and integrated water resource management.
What do you like to do in your free time to relax from your busy job?
I enjoy exploring peaceful landscapes and admiring the beauty of nature, which helps me reconnect and relax. I also enjoy engaging with local communities to understand their viewpoints and experiences. One of my favourite activities is spending time with children: their energy and honesty are invigorating.
To relax, I also enjoy dancing and reading educational literature that broadens my perspective of the world. And of course, spending quality time with my beloved ones brings me joy and keeps me grounded.
Tell us a bit about your background. What were you doing before you joined Tiyeni?
I studied Agricultural Economics at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), where I built a strong foundation in sustainable agriculture, rural development, and policy analysis. Over the years, I have worked in several roles within government and non-governmental organisations.
Before joining Tiyeni, I worked as a Planning Officer Intern at the Mwanza District Agriculture Office. Before that, I served as a Water Monitoring Assistant at the district's water department. I have also worked with YouthWave as an M&E Assistant from 2016 to 2017, and from 2019 to 2023, I was involved in various survey assignments and temporary contracts with different organisations. These experiences have shaped my passion for development work and prepared me well for my current role with Tiyeni.
How did you hear about Tiyeni? Why did you decide to apply for this job?
I came across the job advertisement in a WhatsApp group for agriculture graduates in Malawi. Curious to learn more, I searched online for information about Tiyeni and was immediately drawn to their mission and the Deep Bed Farming approach. I saw how well their work aligns with my field of expertise and my passion for sustainable agriculture. When I saw the Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant Officer position under the GIF-funded project, I knew it was the perfect fit. I applied, and I was fortunate to be selected. It’s been a rewarding journey so far.
Your job is M&E Assistant Officer. What does that involve?
As the M&E Assistant Officer for the Lunyangwa Watershed Project, I support the project team in tracking progress, measuring outcomes and ensuring that the data we collect informs both implementation and reporting. My role is part of the core project team and I report directly to the Project Manager, while also receiving technical guidance from Tiyeni’s Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at the organisational level.
My daily responsibilities include developing and enhancing data collection tools, planning and conducting field monitoring visits, supporting the collection of baseline and routine data and ensuring that field information is accurately documented and analysed. I work closely with the two Project Officers, particularly when coordinating with farmers, community groups, and field staff during data collection.
I also assist in preparing internal updates, contribute to drafting progress reports and support indicator tracking based on the project’s results framework. My role enables me to engage with both field realities and technical reporting requirements. It’s a demanding but rewarding position, and it has allowed me to apply my skills while continuing to develop professionally within a dedicated, impact-focused team.
The Lunyangwa Watershed Project is an exciting and important project. Can you tell us a bit about it?
The Lunyangwa Watershed Project is a four-year initiative funded by the Global Innovation Fund (GIF) and implemented by Tiyeni in partnership with the Northern Region Water Board and SIWI. The project aims to restore the Lunyangwa River catchment, which serves as a vital water source for Mzuzu City. The project tackles urgent issues like soil erosion, water insecurity and declining agricultural productivity. Using Tiyeni’s Deep Bed Farming method and other conservation practices, we assist farmers in improving their land, increasing yields and building resilience to climate change. The project also promotes Integrated Water Resources Management and community-led approaches to ensure sustainable and locally-driven changes.
The project has just had its launch. What form did that take?
The project was officially launched on 30 April at Emsizini EPA in Chiwiri Section. It was a lively and inspiring event that brought together farmers, traditional leaders, government officials and representatives from key partners such as the Northern Region Water Board and SIWI.
The launch featured speeches, a presentation of the project’s objectives and practical demonstrations of conservation techniques, including Deep Bed Farming. It was encouraging to see the excitement and interest from both community members and stakeholders and it set the tone for strong collaboration throughout the project.
This is a four-year project. What will be different in 2029 because of it?
By 2029, we anticipate significant progress both environmentally and socially within the Lunyangwa River catchment. However, we recognise that genuine change, particularly in land restoration and behaviour modification, requires time and sustained effort.
One of the main anticipated changes is the restoration of degraded landscapes in regions most affected by erosion. By promoting Deep Bed Farming and other conservation methods, farmers will be better equipped to manage soil, conserve moisture and increase their yields. This will not only enhance food production but also decrease the sediment flow into the Lunyangwa River, gradually improving water quality and flow during the dry season.
Our goal is to reach and train over 17,000 farmers and, depending on community interest and early participation rates, we expect to connect even more. We anticipate an adoption rate of around 70%, meaning most trained farmers will actively use Deep Bed Farming and conservation farming methods by the end of the project. This level of uptake could result in clear improvements in soil health, crop yields and household food security.
Institutionally, we also aim to enhance community ownership of watershed protection through ongoing engagement, training and support of farmer groups and local structures. However, we recognise challenges such as land pressure, changing climate patterns and limited resources, so our approach remains adaptable.
While we may not witness full ecosystem restoration in just four years, we will have established the foundation for lasting change. We will also accumulate valuable evidence and lessons to guide replication in other watersheds across Malawi, supporting national efforts in climate resilience, sustainable agriculture and integrated water resource management.
What do you like to do in your free time to relax from your busy job?
I enjoy exploring peaceful landscapes and admiring the beauty of nature, which helps me reconnect and relax. I also enjoy engaging with local communities to understand their viewpoints and experiences. One of my favourite activities is spending time with children: their energy and honesty are invigorating.
To relax, I also enjoy dancing and reading educational literature that broadens my perspective of the world. And of course, spending quality time with my beloved ones brings me joy and keeps me grounded.
Our work is only possible thanks to you, our dedicated supporters. Please consider donating to help to lift a farmer, or a family, in Malawi out of poverty and set them up for life.
