Dry Season? No Problem. How Our New Irrigation Keeps Kuwala Growing
Just over a year ago, Kuwala began building compost in increasing amounts. What started as a small pile has grown to almost a full acre of land used for compost. The idea for compost originated from the original soil samples, which revealed the soil’s depletion of nutrients and organic matter.
There has been growing engagement in the local community through teaching them how to make compost and hiring locals to help gather the materials needed for compost production. The team in Malawi discusses how locals are now building compost in their villages to help increase soil productivity. The team has tested the compost and effluent from the biogas and found that most of the major missing nutrients required to grow crops effectively in the Malawi climate are in them. As we have seen improved crop access to nutrients, we have also noticed some specific nutrient deficiencies in how the crops grew.
To address a specific deficiency, we utilize eggshells from the kitchen and ash from burning maize cobs harvested during the fall season in Malawi. This sustainable approach recycles kitchen waste and effectively enriches the soil, promoting a healthier environment.
The farm team has been actively contacting local farmers to source nutrient-rich chicken manure, which we incorporate into compost to boost soil health. We’re steadily increasing the amount of compost in each planting area, aiming to enhance soil fertility naturally. Instead of traditional crop planting, we’re experimenting with diverse companion planting, a more labour-intensive approach that encourages plants to support and nourish each other while improving soil vitality. Recent soil tests indicate promising improvements, but we recognize that a long journey lies ahead in our sustainability efforts.
Imagine a thriving farm where innovative irrigation techniques transform the way crops are nurtured. Drip irrigation, installed in a key section, conserves water while ensuring our crops—beans, corn, elephant grass, and moringa—receive just what they need to flourish. Our team in Canada introduced innovative tools like a thermohydrometer to monitor air humidity and temperature, and a soil sampling instrument that reaches deep into compost piles to determine when they are perfectly turned and ready for use. Soon, a handheld soil tester will arrive in Kuwala, enabling the farm team to measure nutrient levels across different areas precisely. This precision allows for targeted adjustments, optimizing growth and making farming more sustainable and efficient.
What’s the weather at Kuwala? Now we know in real-time.
Kuwala just took a big step forward. With a new weather station now installed on the farm, we can monitor local conditions remotely from right here in Canada. But this isn’t just about convenience; it’s changing how we grow. It provides better discussions between our Canadian farm consultants and our farming manager.
Real-time weather data allows our team to make smarter, faster decisions. We can now plan planting schedules with greater precision, helping us extend the growing season and introduce a more diverse mix of crops. It’s a vital shift for a farm with a bold mission: to feed an entire school community.
Every acre we cultivate brings us closer to self-sufficiency. That means reliable, nutritious food on the table for students and staff, year-round. We still have work to do, but tools like this weather station are helping us farm with confidence.
Loud and Clear: Radios Boost Safety and Connection Across Kuwala. Huge thanks to our generous donor in Canada!
Because of your support, our security team is now equipped with new radios and headsets—an incredible upgrade that’s making a real difference. With clearer, more reliable communication, the team can respond faster, cover more ground, and keep the entire campus safer, day and night.
But the impact doesn’t stop there. Our farming staff now also carry radios, making it easier to coordinate work across fields, share updates on weather or equipment, and keep each other safe in remote areas of the farm.
It’s a small piece of technology with a big ripple effect—strengthening safety, connection, and teamwork across every part of Kuwala.