At the heart of Ntcheu District, one woman’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of small-scale farming in an era when agricultural innovation is key to sustainable development.
Nyayowe Kamwendo, a passionate poultry farmer and the driving force behind Thunyako Farm Investments in Senzani, has transformed her humble beginnings into a thriving agribusiness enterprise.
Kamwendo’s success story is built around an innovative approach; turning chicken droppings into high-demand organic manure.
This venture not only bolsters her business but also provides essential and affordable soil nutrition to local farmers.
Kamwendo started as a small-scale farmer with 150 chickens. Over time, she developed a keen interest in utilising by-products from her farm.
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Today, Thunyako Farm houses over 4,000 chickens, predominantly Roman Brown and Sasso breeds, which produce more than 3,000 eggs daily.
These hens are kept for approximately two years as laying hens before being sold as off-layers at K8,000 each, providing a dual-income stream for the farm.
Yet Kamwendo’s real innovation lies in her creation of organic manure.
She collects the chicken droppings, and processes them into nutrient-rich manure.
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“We put the chicken droppings in a pit for about three months to ferment and decompose, which makes it ideal for use in fields,” she said.
This manure is then sold at K7, 000 per 50kg bag, offering a more affordable alternative to chemical fertilisers, especially valuable in a time when fertiliser prices are rising.
In a country where agriculture is the backbone of the economy, organic manure provides a critical alternative to synthetic fertilisers.
Chemical fertilisers, though effective, can be costly and sometimes contribute to soil degradation over the long term.
Organic manure, on the other hand, improves soil fertility without introducing synthetic compounds, allowing nutrients to be replenished naturally.
Kamwendo’s manure has become a sought-after product among local farmers in Ntcheu and surrounding areas such as Phalula, Senzani and Manjawira.
By enriching the soil, her manure supports better crop yields, thus ensuring food security.
“The demand is high, and we are constantly working to keep up,” she shares, noting that many farmers rely on her manure to improve their productivity.
Organic manure enhances soil structure, supports beneficial microorganisms and improves water retention capacity, which is particularly crucial in regions susceptible to drought.
Kamwendo’s enterprise, therefore, is not only beneficial to local farmers but also contributes to broader environmental and sustainability goals.
Kamwendo’s farm operates with a team of four permanent workers, providing stable employment in her community.
As her manure business grows, Kamwendo envisions hiring additional workers, thereby supporting local livelihoods.
In addition to supplying manure, Thunyako Farm has tapped into the demand for eggs, wholesaling to traders across Ntcheu and neighbouring districts.
However, despite her farm’s large output, the demand consistently surpasses supply, indicating a robust market for locally produced eggs.
“We are doing our best to meet the demand, but there’s always room for expansion,” Kamwendo said.
For Kamwendo, success in agribusiness goes beyond profit; it is about making a positive impact on her community and inspiring other women to venture into agriculture.
She believes that Malawi’s agriculture sector offers fertile ground for women entrepreneurs, particularly in value-added ventures like organic manure production.
By turning waste into a valuable resource, Kamwendo demonstrates how ingenuity in farming can lead to sustainable, profitable business models.
Kamwendo’s journey has been bolstered by her affiliation with the Comesa Federation of Women in Business (COMFWB) Malawi Chapter.
Through COMFWB, she has gained valuable insights, mentorship and networking opportunities.
“COMFWB has been instrumental in helping me connect with other women in agribusiness, which has been a source of support and inspiration,” Kamwendo said.
She has also benefited from programmes such as the GIZ-sponsored Ignite Malawi Women in Business training in Accra, Ghana, where she honed her business skills and learned strategies to expand her ventures.
Kamwendo encourages other women to harness the power of connection and networking.
“When women come together to share knowledge, they empower each other to overcome challenges and seize opportunities in business,” she said.
Her sentiments are echoed by Yamikani Kutengule, the Assistant Liaison Officer of COMFWB Malawi Chapter.
Kutengule explains that the organisation is focused on equipping women with the confidence and expertise to grow their businesses.
“Our sessions aim not only to generate income but also to create wealth that uplifts communities,” she says.
COMFWB’s initiative, supported by the Graça Machel Trust (GMT) highlights the organisation’s broader goal of fostering economic growth, reducing poverty and creating job opportunities for others.
GMT Project Coordinator, Mphatso Zidana, emphasises the long-term vision of empowering women entrepreneurs.
“By building a critical mass of highly qualified women, we aim to advocate for inclusive and sustainable economic development,” he said.
This strategic mentorship empowers women like Kamwendo to influence economic policies and further strengthen Malawi’s agribusiness landscape.
The widespread adoption of organic manure like Kamwendo’s can have far-reaching benefits for Malawi.
With an agriculture-based economy, the country stands to gain significantly from reduced dependency on imported chemical fertilisers.
Nyayowe Kamwendo’s story underscores the significance of organic farming in shaping a resilient agricultural sector in Malawi.
