Research
Manyamula impact evaluation survey (2021)
This independent evaluation utilises both quantitative and qualitative data to detail the results of Tiyeni’s work in Manyamula, Malawi, between 2018-2021. Smallholder farmers achieved high crop production on the average land size of 0.1 hectares, with surplus yields averaging 281 kilograms after adopting Deep Bed Farming. This yield is more than double what had previously been achieved on the same land using conventional farming. Surplus yield is often sold by smallholder farmers, which enables them to maximise income and reduce poverty in their homes. Farmers who were surveyed reported monthly incomes that increased by almost 100% from an average of MWK 38,824 (~£35) before adopting Deep Bed Farming to MWK 75,192 (~£68) after adopting Deep Bed Farming.
The adoption of Deep Bed Farming also led to significant gains in food security in Manyamula, as shown in the table below. Crucially, Deep Bed Farming successfully brought the number of households classified as ‘severely food insecure’ to zero, while the number of mildly and fully food secure households dramatically increased.
The adoption of Deep Bed Farming also led to significant gains in food security in Manyamula, as shown in the table below. Crucially, Deep Bed Farming successfully brought the number of households classified as ‘severely food insecure’ to zero, while the number of mildly and fully food secure households dramatically increased.
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I have successfully harvested a bumper yield in two consecutive years once I started using DBF system and a number of people have already started approaching me to help them on how to use the system. |
Results also demonstrated a significant empowerment of smallholder farmers to rebuild soil fertility using regenerative land husbandry practices. One hundred percent of farmers who were sampled reported a decline in soil erosion and runoff after adopting Deep Bed Farming The proportion of farmers using compost, which among other benefits adds nutrients to degraded land, increased to 100%, thereby ending farmer reliance on artificial fertilisers.
The study concludes that Deep Bed Farming’s impact on increasing crop yields and land quality has significantly contributed towards Tiyeni’s mission to end food poverty and to improve water security. This achievement is due in part to Tiyeni’s approach of working collaboratively with Malawian government agricultural extension workers within the impact area.
Read the full evaluation here.
The study concludes that Deep Bed Farming’s impact on increasing crop yields and land quality has significantly contributed towards Tiyeni’s mission to end food poverty and to improve water security. This achievement is due in part to Tiyeni’s approach of working collaboratively with Malawian government agricultural extension workers within the impact area.
Read the full evaluation here.