Advancing infrastructure readiness and initiating experimental work
- Jan 1, 2026
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 2
During the second quarter, the project made substantial progress toward advancing the development and adoption of urine-granulated fertiliser technologies in southern Malawi. Building on the foundations established in the first quarter, the team focused on strengthening scientific outputs, advancing infrastructure readiness, and initiating experimental work.
A key milestone was the submission of two research manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals, both of which are currently under review. These papers contribute to the scientific evidence base on nutrient recovery, fertiliser performance, and sustainable waste-to-fertiliser innovations.
Technical work also progressed, particularly in refining the granulation process. The team completed corrections on previously assessed rock samples and conducted additional testing to validate their suitability for blending and nutrient enhancement. These tests form a critical component of optimising the quality of the urine-granulated fertiliser.
Procurement of the granulation machine is in its final stages, with the unit entirely manufactured and undergoing final setup. This equipment will support production scaling and facilitate controlled experimentation in subsequent quarters. Field implementation advanced with the establishment of Fertiliser Trial 1, marking a significant step toward evaluating agronomic performance under real farming conditions.
This trial will generate essential data on crop response, application rates, and comparative effectiveness. While overall progress remained strong, a few activities experienced minor delays due to extended procurement processes and coordination requirements. However, these did not significantly affect the quarterly targets.
All activities are progressing well, with the first two manuscripts submitted to a journal. One paper has been accepted for publication, while the other paper is under review. The procurement of the machine has delayed the implementation of the maize trial this season; however, we will implement a trial under irrigation.
UP credentials have enabled access to key academic databases and journal repositories, which have been essential for sourcing high-quality literature and strengthening the project's evidence base. These resources supported the development of two manuscripts currently under review by providing relevant publications on fertiliser innovation and sustainable agriculture.
Dr Jabulani Nyengere reporting on his progress for the following research project: Addressing the Disproportionate Impact of Climate Change: Development and Upscaling of Granulated Urine Fertilisers to Enhance Food Security in Southern Malawi's Marginalised Communities.
Edited by Heidi Sonnekus & Leti Kleyn for the FAR-LeaF programme.
