2026-OU02 Deep Bed Farming as climate smart solution for improved crop yield and ecosystem services: opportunities and limitations in Malawi

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Agricultural development requires alignment between environmental protection and improved agricultural practice. This study will examine the deep-bed farming technology versus conventional farming among smallholder farmers as a climate-smart solution tested under intercropping and macadamia agroforestry systems in Malawi. 
  • The primary objective is to understand the opportunities and limitations of Deep Bed Farming for smallholder farmers – from the social (socio-economic, motivation, cultural situations) to the physical and biological aspects (e.g. water, nutrient availability). 
  • How this works and how it compares with case studies of state intervention in extension services in other crops and countries in global South will be compared against and learned lessons drawn out. Based on this the outcomes of this research have the potential to inform farming practices, capacity-building initiatives for smallholder farmers, and potentially government policy benefiting both farmers and environmental sustainability of Malawi. 

Overview

Agricultural development in Malawi has long been a focal point for researchers and policymakers seeking to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and address critical challenges associated with food security and rural poverty (Chisale et al., 2022).  Among the agricultural commodities that have gained prominence in recent years, macadamia nuts stand out as a valuable export crop and cereal based-diet supplement, offering potential economic benefits (Table 1) to both farmers and the nation as a whole (Zuza et al., 2023).   

The Deep-bed farming system was developed by a small team of practitioners inspired by Francis Shaxson’s work on soil compaction, erosion, and agroecological approaches to land husbandry (Mvula and Dixon, 2021). It concerns dealing with the long-recognized problem of soil compaction, by breaking it, and creating deep beds to reduce runoff and where crops are planted. This system has been demonstrated and adopted by by over 15,000 farmers throughout Malawi, mentored by a charity called Tiyeni Malawi. 

The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the opportunities and limitations of deep-bed farming in macadamia agroforestry systems, assessing yield improvements, ecosystem services, and farmer constraints. Additionally, it seeks to advance the scientific understanding of deep-bed farming in intercropping and agroforestry contexts, with a focus on its potential contribution to Malawi’s food and nutritional security. 

By achieving these objectives, the study will enhance knowledge of deep-bed farming and contribute to sustainable macadamia industry development, supporting multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals including No Poverty, Zero Hunger, Sustainable Production and Consumption, and Climate Action. The findings have broader implications for agricultural policy, capacity-building, and cooperative practices across various subsectors. 

Figure 1. Tiyeni’s deep-bed farming system.

Sketch of deep-bed farming showing a multi crop arrangement with maize growing alongside leguminous plants.

Case funding

This project is not suitable for CASE funding

Host

  • The Open University

Theme

  • Climate and Environmental Sustainability, Dynamic Earth

Supervisors

Project investigator

Co-investigators

How to apply

Each host has a slightly different application process.
Find out how to apply for this studentship.

All applications must include the CENTA application form.
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The research will employ an interdisciplinary, mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. This will involve: 

  • Surveys and questionnaires to gather information from smallholder farmers. 
  • Interviews and focus group discussions with farmers, extension officers, and other stakeholders. 
  • Data analysis and statistical techniques to assess current practices and evaluate the effectiveness of deep-bed farming and macadamia agroforestry. 
  • Case studies of successful deep-bed farming from other intercropping schemes. 
  • Policy analysis to understand the regulatory framework influencing deep-bed farming practices. 

Research skills 

  • Gain expertise in designing a comprehensive research project, including developing research questions, hypotheses, and methodologies. 
  • Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods 
  • Proficiency in using statistical software for quantitative data analysis  
  • Skills in analysing qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions to identify patterns and themes.

Interdisciplinary knowledge 

  • Understanding of both agricultural practices and socio-economic contexts 

Policy analysis and advocacy 

  • The capacity to analyse agricultural policies and regulations, making recommendations for policy improvements. 

Community engagement and communication 

  • Developing skills in engaging with local communities, cooperatives, and stakeholders to foster collaboration and gather insights. 

Advisory team: Rupert Douglas (Tiyeni, Malawi): https://www.tiyeni.org/; Andrew Emmott (Neno Macadamia Trust): https://www.nenomacadamiatrust.org/; Rick Brandenburg (NC University): https://www.ces.ncsu.edu/profile/rick-brandenburg/ 

Year 1: Revise the existing practice of deep-bed farming in Malawi.  Extend equivalent experiences of intercropping and agroforestry observed in conventional farming as well as deep-bed farming in other countries in the Global South. Develop a framework for the study and draw out experiences. Conduct pilot interviews and analyse findings amongst smallholder farmers undertaking intercropping and macadamia agroforestry to identify salient indicators of success as well as limitations. Collate pilot measurements on selected farms Present preliminary project outline/results to the school.  Pass probation upgrade. 

Year 2: Based on the developed framework, undertake more extensive field work and conduct critical analysis, identifying farmers and extension support, to collate/curate existing resources to tackle challenges and propose or repurpose and co-produce new interventions. Present preliminary results at a national conference, prepare article for publication. Collate both socio-economic and agricultural / environmental indicators as measured. 

Year 3: Finalise analytical work on data collected in Year 2, return to existing initiatives of deep-bed farming to validate any proposed interventions.  Present results at an international conference.  

Write thesis, prepare articles for publication. 

  • Araya, Y. N., Emmott, A., Rawes, W., & Zuza, E. J. (2023). Promoting climate-smart sustainable agroforestry to tackle social and environmental challenges: The case of Macadamia agroforestry in Malawi 
  • Mvula, Albert & Alan Dixon (2021) Farmer experiences of Tiyeni’s ‘deep-bed farming’ conservation agriculture system in Malawi, Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems, 45:2, 175-196, DOI: 10.1080/21683565.2020.1819513  
  • Zuza, E. J., Maseyk, K., Bhagwat, S. A., Chemura, A., Brandenburg, R. L., Emmott, A., Rawes, W., Hancook, W., Mnthambala, F., & Araya, Y. N. (2023). Factors affecting soil quality among smallholder macadamia farms in Malawi. Agriculture and Food Security, 12(1), 17. 

Further details and How to Apply

Please contact Dr Yoseph Araya ([email protected]) or Dr Emmanuel Zuza ([email protected]) for further information and informal discussion about this project.  

To apply to this project:  

  • You must include a CV with the names of at least two referees (preferably three) who can comment on your academic abilities.  

 
 Applications must be submitted by 23:59 GMT on Wednesday 7th January 2026.  

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