This paper presents the results of field experiments conducted in Malawi investigating the effect of land preparation methods (ridges with cross ties, basins and flat), continuous cultivation, subsoiling and deep ploughing on the soil (Vertisol) water conserved and cotton yields. Water conservation ...

Network experiments using a wide range of mainly high-quality plant materials and cattle manure were established in the 1997 and 1998 growing seasons in Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe in areas with different soil types and agroecological conditions. The experiments were...

This book provides an up-to-date information on Vertisols research, and guides readers to important reference material. Four keynote papers and eight country papers and national perspectives on the management of Vertisols in Malawi, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana and...

A study to understand the on-farm maintenance of farmers' cultivars of sorghum was conducted in Malawi to generate information that could be used to develop a strategy for implementing on-farm conservation in the country. The farmers' cultivars were defined as variable plant populations, adapted to ...

This paper argues that both the knowledge of rural people and that of scientists and agricultural researchers have their limits. Using the example of Malawi, the paper discusses the promise and limits of knowledge among farmers, on the one hand, and among agricultural researchers and extension...

This paper presents the experience of CIMMYT's regional networking efforts to promote soil-fertility technologies for maize-based systems of smallholder agriculture in southern Africa, with special reference to Zimbabwe and Malawi. The paper outlines the technologies found promising by farmers,...

This chapter presents case studies on integrated crop management in Malawi, which mainly focus on the alleviation of soil fertility and pest (insects, weeds and diseases) problems: Striga infestation of maize-based systems in Malawi and pigeon pea pests.

Making decisions in natural resource management involves an understanding of the risk and uncertainty of the outcomes, such as crop failure or cattle starvation, and of the normal spread of the expected production. Hedging against poor outcomes often means lack of investment and slow adoption of...

This chapter serves as an introduction for this book, which focuses on the components of natural resource management (NRM) research and how the good practice guidelines in this book apply to research in the component disciplines of NRM as well as to NRM studies themselves. Some of the common...

This chapter describes the necessity of database software in data management. Some aspects of data management within Microsoft Excel and Access are discussed. The use of this database software is illustrated using a household survey on daily activity in Malawi. The chapter also discusses some ways...