On-farm biotic resources for small-scale fish farming in Malawi
1991
Noble, R.P. | Chimatiro, S. (Malawi Univ., Zomba (Malawi). Biology Dept.)
The mean production of madeya from local maize was 296 kg/farm/year, and from hybrid maize, 363 kg/farm/year. This was generated from a total seed production of 1,467 (local) and 2,311 (hybrid) kg/farm/year. All maize stover (local = 2,513; hybrid = 2,311 kg/farm/year) is composted in the fields together with weeds (1,595 kg/farm/year). Rice generates only 54 kg/farm/year of bran from a total grain production of 418 kg/farm/year. All rice straw (888 kg/farm/year) is composted in the ricefields. Weed production on fallow land (922 kg/farm/year) is not utilized. Livestock manure is very difficult to assess and was measured for only five farms. Chickens produce 50 kg/month (range: 15-107), the majority of which is used on vegetables and crops. Farmers also add wastes from pumpkins, fruits, pulses, and leafy vegetables to their ponds, but as yet there are no estimates for these residues. These data show that madeya production per farm is far below the input levels recommended for feeding fish by extension services. Many farmers buy madeya to make up for the shortfall, and often have none for several months. All other wastes on cultivated land are used for direct composting on the fields to preserve the soil and reduces the need for fertilizer use. Other maize wastes such as cobs (local = 292; hybrid = 256 kg/farm/year) are important as fuel for cooking. Hence, they are unavailable for composting for ponds. The only on-farm resources which are not fully utilized at present are ash from tires (438 kg/farm/year) and weeds on fallow land.
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