Response of four maize varieties to nitrogen at Lisungwi extension planning area, Mwanza, Malawi

Abstract

Lisungwi Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Mwanza Rural Development Project (RDP) has insufficient rainfall for optimum maize growth. The soils are generally low in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium. Farmers in this area grow cotton for sale and use the money realized from cotton sales to buy maize. In the past, Blantyre Agricultural Development Division (ADD) Management Unit offered no credit package for maize in this area, as it was thought that farmers would not produce enough additional maize to pay back the loan. On the initiative of the Blantyre ADD adaptive research team, a survey was conducted to monitor the farming systems of the area and assess farmers' opinions of producing maize as a staple food. The survey confirmed the ADD Management Unit's findings that farmers grow cotton for sale. However, it was also found that many farmers from areas such as Thyolo, Blantyre Central, Blantyre North, and Chiradzulu have migrated to Lisungwi. These farmers have been growing maize for a long time and were interested in a maize credit package.