GROW BIOINTENSIVE Malawi: Saving Seeds and Growing Better Lives
GBM continues to promote sustainable, low-input agricultural practices aimed at enhancing local food security. Through village-based outreach and farmer-led education, we help cultivate not just crops—but also community resilience, knowledge, and stewardship of the land. In March, in Kaboko 2, a village headman, Mwapoka, expressed interest in hosting a farmer-led seed-saving workshop. He cited concerns about sub-par seeds sold by local vendors, which have had a detrimental impact on crop yields for the village this year. Many Kaboko 2 farmers struggled with poor-quality seeds and disappointing harvests. By promoting seed-saving and sustainable agriculture, Mwapoka hopes to empower his community to take control of their seed sources and improve productivity. The image below was Mwapoka's opening speech during our field visit to his village. In response, we thanked the chief for putting the interest of his people at heart, and told them this initiative could have a significant positive impact on food security and overall well-being of the community.
We promised to plan for seed-saving workshops and teach them how to establish a seed bank. At another event (below) in Geisha, farmers demonstrated a strong sense of curiosity and teamwork. Some are now preparing to replicate the GB composting methods they learned in group gardens.
Personally, this month, I found that farming is more than sustenance—it's spiritual. Watching a single seed become nourishment reminds me that the simplest efforts, given care, yield abundant rewards. I’ve never felt more in tune with nature and my purpose. Grow Hope Grow Abundance Grow Biointensive! ♥ top | Newsletter Home |Table of Contents| Archive
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The following is excerpted from a report sent to us by GROW BIOINTENSIVE Malawi (GBM).
Since 2024, partners Ephraim and Themba have worked to spread GB in one of the poorest countries in the world.
80% of Malawians rely exclusively on rainfall-irrigated subsistence farming, and malnutrition is endemic, especially
among children. GBM's goals are to increase household nutrition, food security, and income; strengthen local
development and improve livelihoods; and improve collective sustainable agriculture skill. GBM reaches around
2,000 people per year under difficult conditions. We're grateful to Ephriam and Themba for their continued work.
