By Lara Ivanitch
In the years Dannica Wall has traveled to destinations like Malawi as an Extension research specialist for NC State University’s Prestage Department of Poultry Science, she’s noticed a commonality among rural areas: Places that lack funds for the newest agricultural technology often possess abundance in other areas.
“They may have rich natural resources that they can use for feed, for medicine, things of that nature,” Wall says.
Locally grown mushrooms could be one such resource in Malawi, she adds. “One idea they are exploring is using the waste from medicinal mushrooms to incorporate into feed in hopes of boosting birds’ immunity.”
Last fall, Wall and seven other faculty members from NC State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences traveled to Malawi to meet with experts from the country’s government and three universities. The partnership is intended to structure and guide Malawi’s pursuit of self-sufficiency, as laid out by its government in Malawi 2063.
Achieving this broad goal includes developing agriculture that will support the food needs of the country. “It integrates government research institutes, academia, their department of agriculture and extension services,” Wall explains.
Meeting with representatives in Malawi, Wall and her colleagues learned about the specific challenges the country faces in its agriculture industry. “There were so many brilliant minds in that room not just thinking of plans, but actually how to execute those plans.”
With the project in its early stages, Wall and other CALS faculty approached the gathering as an opportunity to better understand Malawi’s goals as well as provide ideas and suggest ways the country might adapt programs that have been successful in North Carolina.
As part of the collaboration in Malawi, researchers from NC State will have the opportunity to use Malawi farms for research studies. Faculty exchanges are also a possibility. “Hopefully what will end up happening is that we can send students there and they’ll be able to send students here as an academic exchange program,” Wall says.
Chicken Challenges
Although too early for Wall to determine how she can best assist in the process, her work in poultry science lends itself to working with one of Malawi’s largest commodities chickens.
Despite its place as a major agricultural sector, the poultry industry suffered a tremendous blow when Cyclone Freddy wiped out an entire breed of chickens in the country. The storm caused widespread flooding and devastation in March 2023, decimating its Black Australorp chicken supply. Issues like funding and scarcity of these birds, the predominant chickens on poultry farms in Malawi before the storm, have impeded the industry’s recovery.
Through her experiences working with poultry farmers outside the United States, especially in rural areas, Wall has noticed that poultry farmers’ challenges typically fall into two categories: not knowing where to begin and having a specific issue once raising chickens. “A lot of times, it’s having to think creatively to get the output that you’re looking for, even when it comes down to materials or nutrition.”
Additionally, Wall says these rural places often have conditions suitable for growing food for the poultry they raise. With guidance about creating a balanced diet for their flock, farmers growing feed could lower farm input costs. Wall relishes the challenge of helping residents use their resources to successfully raise chickens.
Wall finds work outside of the country humbles her and brings her joy. Engaging with people who have different backgrounds and experiences allows her to offer her strengths and benefit from the strengths of others.
“I get a better appreciation for the work that I do,” she says. “It gives me a sense of gratitude and a sense of belonging.”
Source : ncsu.edu