How to Make Mbeya Fertilizer
How to Make Mbeya Fertilizer
Agriculture is the backbone of Malawi’s economy. It accounts for 30% of GDP and generates over 80% of national export earnings. The agriculture sector employs 64% of the country’s workforce. And of course, it contributes to food and nutrition security.
Farming in Malawi has become harder these days. Fertilizer prices have gone up, and even when farmers have the money, it is difficult to find some type of fertilizer in shops. Many people are worried about how they will grow enough maize this year.
But not all hope is lost. Across many villages, farmers are learning how to make Mbeya fertilizer, a simple, homemade fertilizer that uses things found right at home or in the village. It helps crops grow well and keeps the soil healthy without spending too much money.
What is the impact of high costs?
For Sekina Chipokosa from Buza village, she has a reason to smile as she plans on preparing Mbeya manure for her 2 acre field.
“I learnt about Mbeya manure from Orant’s Agriculture program in the 2022/2023 farming year. I thought of trying it out on my 10 meter by 10 meter field and it gave me a good harvest.” She says.
With the rising cost of most items including farming inputs in Malawi, most farmers are stranded as most of them can not afford the high costs. With this challenge, some farmers end up using low quality inputs which, in turn, minimizes their yields.
As a way of solving this challenge, from last farming season, our Agriculture Program has been organizing a Fertilizer making training, through the Madisi Extension Planning Area.
What is Mbeya Fertilizer?
Mbeya Fertilizer is an organic manure made from things like maize bran, ash, and animal manure. It gives the soil important nutrients that help plants grow strong. It also helps the soil hold water and stay loose, so crops can breathe and grow better.
According to Gracious Msimuko, our Agriculture Program Manager: “Mbeya fertilizer is cheap and easy to make using locally available materials. When farmers use it well, they can still achieve good harvests even without buying expensive chemical fertilizer.”
How to Make Mbeya Fertilizer
Materials
- 20 litres of madeya (maize bran)
- 10 litres of phulusa (ash)
- 20 litres of ndowe (animal manure, chicken manure is best)
- 10 kg of NPK or Urea (depending on what you are making)
- 5 kg of NPK or Urea
- For Basal dressing: 10 kg NPK + 5 kg Urea
- For Top dressing: 10 kg Urea + 5 kg NPK
- For Basal dressing: 10 kg NPK + 5 kg Urea
- 5 litres of madzi (water)
- 1 plastic-lined sack (thumba lachipepala mkati)
- 1 shovel
How to Make It
- Divide all materials into three equal parts.
- Mix each part slowly, adding a bit of water until well blended.
- Combine everything into one sack and tie it tightly.
- Keep the sack in a cool place with air for 21 days.
- After 21 days, your Mbeya fertilizer is ready!
Helpful Tips
- Use chicken manure if you can — it gives the best results.
- Avoid cattle manure — it takes too long to ferment.
- If using goat droppings, pound them before mixing so they ferment faster.
- Ash helps prevent striga (witchweed) in maize fields.
- Madeya helps the fertilizer ferment quickly.
- Ndowe brings good bacteria that make the fertilizer strong.
Fun Facts:
- Madeya helps in fast and quick fermentation of mixture
- Ndowe attracts bacteria to ferment the mixture
- Ash contain sulphur, which prohibits the growth of striga asiatica (witch weed)
Why Mbeya Fertilizer is Important in 2025
With fertilizer prices going up and supplies running out, Mbeya fertilizer is becoming a lifesaver for many Malawian farmers. It helps people use what they already have and still grow healthy, green crops.
As Gracious Msimuko explains, “Even when shops have no fertilizer, farmers do not need to worry. With Mbeya, they can make their own and still grow green, healthy fields.”
There are also other types of fertilizers and inoculants that we taught our farmers to make using locally available resources. Be on the lookout as we will be sharing them soon!
Let’s farm smart this season. Let’s go Mbeya!
