This document discusses challenges and opportunities for Faidherbia albida (FA) in Malawi. FA densities and regeneration have increased in the last 25-30 years due to research, agroforestry programs, and promotion of natural regeneration and conservation agriculture. However, establishing planted seedlings remains challenging due to issues like poor training, seedling quality, and accidental removal. The Msangu Belt Initiative aims to further promote natural regeneration and conservation agriculture in FA-common areas along Lake Malawi through community leadership and raising awareness of FA's benefits. Participatory research with farmers could help evaluate FA's impacts with different crops and under varying rainfall conditions.

1. FAIDHERBIA IN MALAWI:
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
TOTAL LANDCARE
Side Event on Faidherbia in Southern Africa
CONFERENCE ON BEATING FAMINE
APRIL 14-17, 2015

2. TOTAL LANDCARE
Side Event on Faidherbia in Malawi
CONFERENCE ON BEATING FAMINE
APRIL 14-17, 2015

3. FA System in Malawi Prior to 1987
Benefits generally well known among farmers, but
confined to areas with natural trees
Tree distribution uneven with low densities even in
areas where common along the lakeshore
Perception among many farmers and extension staff
that FA cannot be planted and grows only in low
altitude areas along the lake
Highly skewed age class distribution of FA dominated
by large trees with limited regeneration of young trees

4.  Little or no promotion of natural regeneration
 Limited local knowledge about raising & planting
seedlings
 Deliberately cut, aggravated by ext messages to
keep trees off crop land, esp. tobacco, cotton &
cassava
 Mortality from burning to remove crop residues /
weeds & for hunting mice
 Browsing damage from goats, cattle, other animals
Age structure dominated by large trees due
to mortality of young regenerating trees:

5. 0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
DBH Class (cm)
% Composition by DBH Class (cm)
MTAKATAKA
GOLOMOTI
KHOMBEDZA
MTOSA
MEAN

6. Density/ha by Age Class 2015
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
DBH CLASS (CM)
MTAKATAKA
GOLOMOTI
KHOMBEDZA
MTOSA
MEAN
Mean Density: 14.5
Range: 9.4 to 21.0

7. Changes in the last 25-30 Years
Research efforts combined with agroforestry extension programs
have led to dramatic changes to promote FA:
 The benefits to crops, soils and livestock have been well
documented
 Active tree planting programs with FA and other trees with many
projects and NGOs based on well established methods of
propagation and outplanting
 Protection and management of natural regenerating trees
 Integration with CA
 The density and structure of FA has changed significantly with
higher densities and more regenerating young trees for greater
impacts and sustainability

8. Overall Results:
Much higher density of young
regenerating trees on farmland, but
establishment, growth and survival
of planted trees remained low

9. Challenges with Planting
1. Lack of training and weak extension services
2. Poor collaboration with other organizations/projects
3. Production of poor quality seedlings
4. Improper or late planting
5. Competition with weeds
6. Accidental/deliberate removal of small “invisible”
seedlings in dense stands of crops by hired or child labor
7. Burning to remove weeds/crop residues & to hunt mice

10. ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES FOR SCALING UP:
1. Need for collaboration and harmonization across all sectors
2. Strengthen training and extension services
3. Encourage FMNR – easiest, cheapest & most effective system for
successful establishment with fast growth
4. Planted Seedlings: Plant early with air-pruned seedlings under CA
5. Promote participatory farmer led systems of extension
6. Produce and provide quality training / extension materials
7. Institute community led initiatives to publicize, promote and
encourage FMNR with more farmers e.g., the Msangu Belt
Initiative (next slide)

11. MSANGU (FAIDHERBA) BELT INITIATIVE
Increasing adoption and up-scaling of CA
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:
 TLC supported the Msangu Belt Initiative with traditional
leaders and communities in April, 2014.
 The goal is to promote natural regeneration and CA in
areas where Faidherbia (Msangu) trees are common
 The initiative covers a wide belt along the lakeshore in 5
districts from Nkhota-kota and Salima to Dedza, Ntcheu
and Mangochi.
 Lessons learnt will used to extend the initiative to areas
with similar characteristics.

12. GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
MEMBERSHIP:
• Local leaders at all levels (T/A, GVH, VH)
• Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Water Development
• NGOs implementing CSA along the Belt
• Forestry Dept, Min of Nat Resources, Energy & Mining
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
• Chair: T/A Mwansambo with Director of Land Resources
Conservation Dept as Vice
• District LRC Officers are coordinators of district level
committees with DEC members
SECRETARIAT: Total LandCare

13. APPROACH/ACTIVITIES
• Community-driven approach with local leadership
to mobilize communities and farmers to promote
regeneration of Msangu with CA.
• Raise awareness about the value of Msangu and
CA for soil improvement, water conservation,
increased yields and resilience to climate
variability
• Involvement of all key stakeholders within the
Msangu belt to support the initiative.

14. • Tour of the Belt by all stakeholders to appreciate the
impact of Msangu and the synergy of integrating CA
• Formation of coordination committees at national and
district levels
• Mapping of the Belt
• Facilitation of two coordination and planning
meetings
• Development of an action plan
ACHIEVEMENTS TO-DATE

15. • Document drivers / factors that motivate farmers a) to plant
crops with Faidherbia and b) to protect regenerating trees
• Evaluate effects and application with crops other than cereals
• Evaluate natural germination by feeding pods to livestock
• Evaluate synergies with CA and related causal factors
• Evaluate effects on yields under variable rainfall (droughts)
• Document effects on weed biomass & seed reservoirs
• Compare cost effective options for better weed control
• Evaluate cost effective use of fertilizers/manure over time
• Analyze effects on soils / micro-environment, runoff, soil loss
Participatory Farmer Led R & D Needs:

16. Conclusions
 High potential for natural regeneration to increase FA
densities & impacts across the Faidherbia belt
 Great synergies with CA to increase yields at lower
costswith enhanced resilience to climate variability
 FA with CA provide a compelling case to transform
smallholder agriculture in this part of Malawi with
conservation of the environment to support future
generations