Abstract

Poverty alleviation, especially among the rural people, is considered the overall aim of the Government of Malawi, while the acceleration of agricultural and rural development has been identified as the main strategy in order to fight against poverty. In this framework, food security has a crucial role. Malawi has for the past decade been categorized as a food deficit country with an estimated 40% of the population being unable to satisfy its minimum daily energy needs of 2.200 kilocalories and 55% of the rural population suffering from chronic food insecurity. Likewise, under-nutrition has remained highly prevalent hence of major public health concern affecting development at all levels. At the same time, the food security policy of the Government of Malawi underlines that, given the position of maize as the dominant staple, and the high cost of importing maize, national food security is very vulnerable to the periodic droughts that occur. The number of traditional crop varieties (landraces) is diminishing, victimised by population growth, environmental change, and modern farming. Genetic diversity found in traditional farmer varieties – and in wild species – holds the key to conventional plant breeding, and to gene transfer projects in research laboratories. Without this diversity, science is unlikely to provide the technologies needed to ensure future food security and improve the lives of the rural and urban poor. In this sectorial framework, where food security plays an important role in stability of the country, a field research was conducted in Balaka, Machinga and Ntcheu Districts to investigate the methods of conservation and utilisation of agro-biodiversity at small-scale household level. Data were collected from two hundred (200) farmers and stakeholders in the three districts through individual household interviews using a structured questionnaire, unstructured questionnaire for focus group discussions and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods. Results show that farmers based their farming methods of conservation and utilization of agrobiodiversity at household level on traditional knowledge, previously adopted in their rural communities. Respondents selected seed from their own production, because the seed is kept safely and there is continuity of local breeds. Seed selection contributes to household food security The beginning of civilization depended on agriculture, so does its future… because the seeds sown are healthy and grow in good conditions, under a husbandry management and environmental factors, such as rain and fertility. In doing so, farmers are sure to preserve the biodiversity of the food crop varieties at household level. Other farmers preferred seed from the market, ADMARC or other companies, because farmers observe that the seed is well treated with chemicals and the susceptibility rate of this seed to weevils and pests is very low. Even the characteristics of flour are better in seed from market compared to seed from own production. Farmers said that their household food security could improve if they have access to credit schemes, to buy seed, fertilizer and the possibility to learn new agronomic technologies for their farming production through training courses, and technical assistance by Government or other actors involved in agricultural activities. On micro finance institutions, results show that farmers’ access to credit schemes is very low, especially in Machinga District. This rate is higher in some villages in Balaka and Ntcheu Districts due to international organisations which have implemented rural development projects. Results from Participatory Rural Appraisal method show that farmers plant maize (hybrid and local varieties), cassava (Mosaic Virus Free and local), groundnut, cow pea, pigeon pea, sweet potato, and vegetables. The results indicate that the conservation of agro-biodiversity at household level is maintained through the traditional knowledge of farming methods. However, the utilization and conservation of agro-biodiversity at household level can be improved with financial inputs, such as certified seed, fertilizer, and technical assistance. In doing so, life standards can also be improved.

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School	: School of Natural and Applied Sciences
Issued Date	: 2005

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