In Malawi, worry creases farmers’ faces as they explain that their maize crop may fail this year. Planting was done on time, but in January intense rainfall and flooding swept away much of the fields, soil and seeds alike.
A flooded maize field in Ntcheu, Malawi. Photo: J. Braslow / CIAT
Our AGORA* team witnessed the force of these rains during a participatory mapping exercise in Ntcheu District. As we drove away from one village, a downpour began and within minutes, rivers of red silty water flowed between the ridges of maize, carrying away the precious fertile topsoil, swelling rivers, creating gullies, washing away seeds and paths.[…] Read more