7. Guide to Agricultural Production in Malawi (2021)

The Guide to Agricultural Production in Malawi (2021) is a comprehensive technical reference designed to support farmers, extension officers, agripreneurs, and stakeholders in achieving higher productivity, sustainability, and profitability across Malawi’s major crops, livestock, and farming systems. Published by the Ministry of Agriculture, the guide provides detailed best practices for land preparation, planting, crop and animal management, post-harvest handling, and pest and disease control.

The guide integrates modern agricultural technologies with indigenous knowledge and is aligned with Malawi’s national development priorities. It promotes climate-smart, market-oriented, and inclusive farming practices to enhance food and nutrition security while contributing to economic growth. Special attention is given to gender-responsive approaches, youth involvement, and farmer empowerment.

• Roadmap of Contents

  1. Introduction

  • Purpose of the guide

  • Structure and usage

  • Target audience (farmers, extension staff, NGOs, private sector)

  2. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs)

  • Soil and water conservation

  • Land preparation

  • Use of improved seeds and fertilizers

  • Climate-smart agriculture principles

  3. Field Crops Production

  Detailed guidance on:

  • Maize

  • Rice

  • Sorghum and Millet

  • Groundnuts

  • Soybeans

  • Beans and Cowpeas

  • Tobacco, Cotton, and Other Cash Crops

  For each crop:

  • Recommended varieties

  • Planting and spacing

  • Fertilizer use

  • Pest and disease management

  • Harvesting and storage

  4. Horticultural Crops

  • Tomatoes, onions, cabbage, okra, leafy vegetables

  • Fruits: mangoes, bananas, citrus, papaya

  • Nursery management and irrigation practices

  5. Livestock Production

  • Cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry, rabbits

  • Breeds, housing, feeding, health management, disease control

  6. Fisheries and Aquaculture

  • Pond construction

  • Stocking, feeding, and harvesting

  • Fish farming integration with crop-livestock systems

  7. Agroforestry and Tree Crops

  • Multipurpose trees: Gliricidia, Faidherbia, Leucaena

  • Fruit and nut tree management

  • Integration with farming systems

  8. Farm Business Management

  • Record keeping

  • Budgeting and gross margin analysis

  • Marketing strategies and value chain development

  9. Gender and Youth Inclusion

  • Role of women in agriculture

  • Youth engagement in agribusiness

  • Strategies for inclusive extension service delivery

  10. Annexes

  • Seasonal calendars

  • Conversion tables

  • Glossary of terms

  • Reference to national policies and extension materials

The following multiple choice, short answer, and scenario-based questions are required for certification and must be completed in full.