Beyond Standardized Fertilizers: Performance and Viability of Localized Fertilizer Blends in Central Malawi’s Maize Production Systems

Abstract

Maize is the main staple food crop and dominates Malawi's farming systems. Maize farming covers 92% of Malawi’s arable land and contributes 54% of national caloric intake. Over the decades, the Malawian Government has implemented annual fertilizer subsidy programs for maize production as a key strategy for food security. However, the national fertilizer (Basal 23:10:5+6S+1Zn and Top 46%N) remains the only standardized recommendation for maize farming systems. This research assessed the performance and viability of recently developed local fertilizer blends: Alpha (Basal 17:25:18 and Top 32:0:18) and Mwininthaka (Basal 23:10:5+6S and Top 23:10+5+6S) for maize production. Trials were conducted at four sites in Lilongwe District, central Malawi, using a completely randomized design with four treatments and two replications at each site. Primary data was collected on the number of cobs and grain yield, and secondary data on climate and fertilizer prices, and analyzed them using JMP SAS software version 14.0.0. Results indicated significant differences (p<0.05) in the number of maize cobs at three sites, with Alpha as the highest-performing blend (Mitundu 72, Nanthenje 88, and Kasiya 87 cobs). Similarly, significant differences were also observed in maize grain yield at the three sites, where the Alpha was the highest-performing blend in two sites (Mitundu 6.77 t ha-1 and Nanthenje 11.71 t ha-1), while Mwininthaka was the highest-performing blend in one site (Kasiya 7.41 t ha-1). Regarding viability, analysis indicated that the Alpha blend was the most cost-effective at two sites (Mitundu 33.7% and Nanthenje 83.6%), while the Mwininthaka and National blends were most cost-effective at one site each (Kasiya 75.8% and Mpingu 79.3%, respectively). Hence, it was concluded that local blends are site-specific alternatives beyond the national standardized fertilizer recommendations amid rising commodity prices and scarcity in Malawi.