This week, PPI and CADECOM are in Dowa and Ntchisi districts conducting hands-on composting toilet construction trainings with local farmers practicing agro-ecology. These practical sessions aim to equip farming communities with sustainable sanitation solutions that also contribute to soil fertility and food production.
With the ever-increasing cost of synthetic fertilizers, many smallholder farmers are facing growing challenges in maintaining soil health and crop yields. Composting toilets offer an innovative, low-cost alternative by converting human waste into nutrient-rich compost that can be safely used to improve soil quality in food production systems.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote eco-friendly farming practices under the Norwegian Church Aid – DanChurchAid Malawi Joint Program, with funding support from the Danish Church Aid. By introducing farmers to composting toilet technologies, the project supports holistic agro-ecology approaches that align sanitation, health, and sustainable agriculture.
Participants in the trainings are gaining not only the technical know-how to construct and manage composting toilets but also an understanding of the ecological benefits such systems bring. These include reducing groundwater contamination, recycling essential nutrients, and decreasing reliance on costly chemical inputs.
As farmers continue to adapt to climate change and economic pressures, such grassroots innovations are playing a crucial role in building resilience, improving food security, and protecting the environment.
This week’s trainings are another step toward empowering communities with the tools and knowledge needed to lead their own sustainable development.
