Participatory assessment of maize productivity following the transition from conventional ridge tillage to deep bed farming system in Malawi
Zuza, Emmanuel Junior, Araya, Yoseph N, Banda, W, Mvula, A, Gondwe, F M T, Douglas-Bate, R and Muzangwa, Lindah (2025) Participatory assessment of maize productivity following the transition from conventional ridge tillage to deep bed farming system in Malawi. agriRxiv Preprint server. (Unpublished)
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Abstract
Climate change and soil degradation threaten agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA), particularly in Malawi where smallholder farming systems predominate. This studypresents a comparative assessment of deep bed farming (DBF) a hybrid conservationagriculture practice versus conventional ridging (CR) in smallholder maize-based farmingsystems through participatory on-farm quasi-experiments that positioned farmers as co-researchers. Across diverse agroecological zones, we implemented a randomized completeblock design under farmer management to systematically evaluate both cultivation methods.DBF significantly (p ≤ 0.001) outperformed CR, supporting higher plant populations of 450 vs350 maize plants per 10 m² (45,000 vs. 35,000 plants ha⁻¹), higher stalk biomass yield of 75vs. 50 kg per 10 m² (7,500 vs. 5,000 kg ha⁻¹), and 70% greater grain yields (8.5 – 9.0 vs. 5.0metric tonnes ha⁻¹). These outcomes are attributed to DBF's enhancement of soil structure,moisture retention, and biological activity. The co-creation approach validated DBF'sagronomic benefits while fostering local ownership, enabling real-time adaptation andenhancing adoption potential. Our findings highlight DBF as a scalable, climate-resilientpractice capable of strengthening food security and ecological sustainability in resource-constrained smallholder systems.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | Deep bed farming, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, maize productivity |
| Divisions: | Agriculture, Science and Practice |
| Depositing User: | Ms Susan Baker |
| Date Deposited: | 22 Jan 2026 17:52 |
| Last Modified: | 22 Jan 2026 17:52 |
| URI: | https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17000 |
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