Harvesting Hope: How Ntcheu Farmers Overcame Fear with Agroforestry
Have you ever been afraid to try something new? For many of us, the answer is yes. The fear of the unknown especially when trying something new can be overwhelming particularly when your family food supply depends on it. Will it work? What if I fail? These doubts are normal, and for farmers like Emitoni Chikakuda from Ntcheu District, this fear was real.
When the Global EverGreening Alliance’s Restore Africa Programme led by Catholic Relief Services was introduced by World Vision Malawi in Ntcheu, it aimed to help farmers like him to revive their degraded land through the adoption of evergreening agricultural practices such as agroforestry to improve soil fertility and boost harvests while combatting climate change. But for Emitoni, the idea brought worry.
“I feared the trees would take up too much space, leaving little land for my crops. I asked myself what if my harvest fails, what will my children eat?” says Emitoni.
Emitoni’s fears were shared by many farmers including Emmack Mandanda, a father of seven. Over the years, Emmack has seen his harvests dropping drastically from over fifteen bags of maize to just three in the 2024/2025 growing season because of climate change induced fall armyworms.
“Every farming season is becoming scary. With unpredictable rains and pests, planting trees with crops seemed even riskier,” says Mandanda.
Both Emitoni and Emmack no longer hold their fears of crop failure as a result of practicing agroforestry after attending a series of trainings on agroforestry organized by the Restore Africa Programme. In the 2024/2025 farming season, they tried agroforestry. Emitoni harvested 15 bags of maize, while Emmack, despite the damage caused by fall armyworm, managed to get 3 bags.
“Am hopeful that in the coming growing seasons, I will be able to produce enough food due to improved soil fertility. Am also hopeful that the trees will help in controlling pests,” says Mandanda.
Through the Restore Africa Programme, farmers like Emitoni and Emmack in Ntcheu are no longer afraid to practice agroforestry. Instead, they are hopeful for better harvests, healthier land, and a brighter future for their families.