GIF invests in Deep Bed Farming in Malawi.

GIF is pleased to announce that we have made a a $750k grant to an NGO scaling in an innovative form of climate-smart agriculture which reduces soil erosion, improves soil quality and increases crop yields. 

Tiyeni pioneering Deep Bed Farming (DBF) to increase the food security and climate resilience of smallholder farmers in Malawi, where over 80% of the economically active population work in agriculture.

Malawi faces severe land degradation as a result of rapid deforestation and unsustainable farming practices. Intensive tillage and usage of hand hoe for cultivation have created a hard pan of compacted soil which reduces yields because crops struggle to take root. Critical watersheds are also degrading, threatening water availability and quality. Climate change is worsening the effects of Malawi’s already highly variable and unpredictable climate by increasing the frequency of droughts and floods. 

DBF facilitates water retention, reduces soil erosion and improves yields. It works by first breaking the soil hardpan using pickaxes and other tools to ensure a looser soil structure to encourage deeper crop rooting, healthy soil microbiological activity, and deep water infiltration. Once broken, this process only needs to be repeated every five years, and eliminates the need for yearly tilling.

The second step involves constructing raised deep-beds for planting and closed furrows for rainwater storage, following the natural contour lines of slopes in parallel so as to prevent downhill water run-off. 

The final step involves training farmers in the adoption of climate-smart agriculture techniques, such as intercropping, mulching, use of organic manure and crop rotation. Tiyeni trains farmers to practise DBF in groups of around 20, so they can demonstrate the techniques to new adopters.

GIF has provided Tiyeni with a grant of $750,000 to support it in training 17,000 farmers around the Lunyangwa River watershed near Mzuzu to practise DBF. Tiyeni will rigorously analyse adaption dynamics, barriers and enablers, and the profitability for farmers, creating a stronger evidence base on the net benefits for farmers and potential water management outcomes.

GIF’s support for Tiyeni is our latest investment from our Innovating for Climate Resilience sub-fund, which backs a portfolio of solutions with the potential to bring significant adaptation and resilience benefits to people living on less than $5 a day.

Innovation is urgently needed to build resilience to increasing incidences of heat waves, droughts, floods and extreme storms, and to adapt to high sea levels and less reliable rainfall. The greatest needs are within low-income countries and populations, whose exposure is greatest and coping capacity often the lowest.

GIF is currently inviting new applications for funding from innovators working to enable the world's poorest to adapt and be more resilient to changing climate. If you are interested in applying, please review the funding guidance and submit your application before the window closes on 15th January 2025 at 23:59.