Support for the Mulanje farmers
During our tour of the Mulanje Massif, Gusto, our guide, spoke to us of the difficulties confronting the local community in the face of rapidly escalating fertiliser costs and we were only too pleased to help.
With the war in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia and the Belarus, fertilizer prices have roughly doubled in Malawi since August 2020. Some farmers are turning to alternative growing methods, using non-chemical, bio-fertilisers and innovative permaculture techniques but for now, this village depends on traditional techniques to eat.
We are currently working with Mulanje Mountain Conservation Trust to make sustainable efforts to offset our carbon footprint but in the meantime, we wanted to thank Gusto and his community with a contribution to their onerous fertiliser bill. Aaron and Paul took on the six hour journey to Mulanje to secure 12 sacks of fertiliser for the farmers.
During their visit, Aaron and Paul noticed the water pump was in need of repair. It didn't require much money to fix it, but it is money this community doesn't have and it has made all the difference - particularly during this latest cholera epidemic.
Chief Mbewa has since confirmed the borehole is now working perfectly and conveyed his thanks on behalf of his village, explaining:
"People are very appreciative for what you have done for them. They say it's something that they never thought can happen to them."
But our thanks go to Aaron, Paul and friends of Watson's Malawi Partnership because without them, this would not have happened.
The Story of Rising Fertilizer Prices | Aaron Smith (ucdavis.edu)
Malawian farmers turn to organic alternatives as fertilizer costs rise | Devex
Partner Programme | MSPC (malawipermacultureclubs.com)
