Simple soil water monitoring tools increase yield and income of smallholder farmers in Malawi: A case study of four irrigation schemes

The area under irrigation in Malawi has increased, but productivity is still low due to farmers' lack of irrigation knowledge. This paper describes a ‘people-centred learning’ approach aimed at improving water management in smallholder irrigation schemes. The work was conducted in Malawi, where farmers at the Bwanje, Tadala, Nanzolo and Matabwa irrigation schemes were provided with soil water sensors that showed whether the soil was wet, moist or dry using colours, making it easy for farmers to understand. Indicators related to water management and soil water status were monitored during the 2017 and 2018 irrigation seasons. The yield and gross margins were then assessed. The results show that farmers can effectively identify irrigation-related problems and act on the information provided by the tools. The yield increased by more than 80%, and the gross margins increased by more than threefold across all the schemes. Based on the findings outlined, the use of soil water sensors enhances farmers' understanding of water management, prompting behavioural changes and measurable improvements in irrigation productivity. Furthermore, this study concludes that improving farmers' knowledge is essential for transforming smallholder irrigation schemes into profitable and sustainable investments.