CGIAR Research Program on Dryland Systems - DS

Overview: ESA-AS004 - Chinyanja Triangle (Changara-Ntcheu/Dedza) Transect (Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi)

ESA-AS003 - ESA-AS003


Leader Lulseged Tamene, International Center for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT (Alliance)

Team members: 12
Partner organizations: 15

Budget 2026
USD : 0

Activities/Products:  8


  Description
    
The Changara-Ntcheu action site transects three countries: Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi constituting the Chinyanja Triangle. The Chinyanja triangle spans over an area of 118,821km2 and supports a population of 14,744,446. The CT has 4 predominant farming systems namely: cereal-legume systems; Sorghum based system; Livestock system; and Integrated crop-livestock farming systems. Although different CG centres have done research and established networks in different parts of the Changara-Ntcheu/Dedza transect, Changara and Ntcheu have been identified as common sites where all centers will implement activities jointly in the short-term. The two areas generally represent two systems: livestock and crop-livestock dominated. All relevant CG Centres shall work within this zone as part of joint activity where reported outputs can help out-scaling. Currently, CIAT, CIP, Bioversity, ICRAF and IWMI are implementing activities in Ntcheu while ICRISAT is working in Changara. This means that Ntcheu can be used as key demonstration site of system implementation involving all ESA team-members. Extensive land condition baseline characterisation, household surveys and on field research are being conducted in 2 Primary Out-scaling Areas (POA) (Kandeu and Nsipe Extension Planning Areas (EPA)) both in Ntcheu Malawi. Each of the POA covers area of 10km2 with a total target population of 2,780 and immediate out scaling population of 69,729 (with multiplicator of 25 X POA) at the EPA level. Further out scaling to the district level will have multiplicator of 6.7 X EPA to reach the target population of 471,589. In the short-term, options, processes or methods implemented in Ntcheu can be out-scaled to areas with similar farming system which include Dedza, Angonia and Macanga with a total target population of 1,456,847 and multiplicator of 3.1 X NTCHEU DISTRICT. Ntcheu district has three agroecologies following the catena from plateaus bordering Angonia, rift valley escarpments (Kirk range), to Shire River / Lake Malawi plains. The soils are inherently of poor soil fertility on the escarpments and highlands which receive rainfall ranging from 800-1200mm. Despite having better soil fertility, crop production in the valley is constrained by inadequate and variable rainfall ranging between 600-800mm. the major livelihood activity is in the lowlands agro-pastoral. Maize is the dominant cop while legumes, vegetables and root crops (Irish potatoes) are grown as cash crops on uplands and cotton on the valley. Livestock production is mainly small ruminants (goats) which are concentrated on the valley where crop production is low. CIAT, Bioversity, ICRISAT and IWMI have research agenda towards establishing baselines in soil quality, agricultural water management, agrobiodiversity and dietary diversity as benchmarks for monitoring and evaluation of project impacts as well as for targeting potential areas for out- / up-scaling intervention. In minimising constraints in crop -livestock production, the centers will test and assess best bet ISFM technologies, IPs and assess the impact and adoption of such technologies based on gender. The likelihood of success for CRP DS initiatives is enhanced by the presence of numerous development partners and CG initiatives, including Africa RISING, Millennium Challenge Corporation, Total land Care, and Bunda College. As a result, CRP DS seeks to take advantage of existent networks that have a local presence in the area. The major partner, Total Land Care, has also activities in Ntcheu and other areas of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia, which can facilitate out-scaling exercise. Linkages created with the most important power players in this area and the wider region such as local chiefs and related chiefdoms have given CRP DS a good jumpstart for further research efforts.
  Atlas
    
  Activities/Products
    
Code Activity/Product Name Leader Co-leader Total Outputs Output types View
ESA-AS004.001 ISFM and SLM adoption analysis Lulseged Tamene Job Maguta Kihara 2
ESA-AS004.002 Integrated Systems Analysis Lulseged Tamene Katherine Ann Snyder 2
ESA-AS004.004 Improving Agricultural Water Management Options Everisto Mapedza Jonathan Lautze 2
ESA-AS004.005 Innovation Platforms Sabine Homann-Kee Tui 3
ESA-AS004.006 Sustainable intensification options Sabine Homann-Kee Tui 2
ESA-AS004.007 Identify entry points for crop x livestock integration Godfrey Manyawu Saskia Hendrickx 1
ESA-AS004.008 Innovation platforms (Value Chain) Saskia Hendrickx 1
ESA-AS004.009 Pilot feeds interventions Godfrey Manyawu 1
  Projects
    
Acronym Project Title Year Section Leader Center Budget Start Date End Date View
  Outcomes and Impact
    
Code Outcomes and Impact Type Indicators View
1 Female and male farmers/stakeholders (inc.youth) awareness, skills and knowledge increased research outcome 2
2 Female and male farmers/shakeholders use/adopt/implement methods/tools/approaches/technologies/NRMpractices/Varieties/framework/concepts research outcome 4
3 Interventions better targeted/prioritized by stakeholders research outcome 2
4 Multi-stakeholder partnerships and interactive learning increased research outcome 2
5 System approach is adopted by stakeholders research outcome 1
6 Local community participation in co-design and co-implement village-based approaches increased research outcome 5
7 Fodder productivity increased development outcome 1
  Personnel Involved
    
  Partners