Changing weather patterns, poor land management, low adoption of agricultural technologies, and weak market links are some of the challenges facing farmers in Malawi. Dr. Austin Phiri, a 2019 One Planet Laureate Candidate, is leading an innovative research project that aims to increase sorghum productivity, catalyze smallholders’ adoption of the technology and enhance their [smallholders] resilience to climate change.

Through the project, Dr. Phiri is improving soil productivity by combining organic and inorganic fertilizer under irrigated conditions, thereby increasing the socio-economic conditions of the farmers. Dr. Phiri notes that the project was conceptualized at the 2019 One Planet Fellowship Science Week in Casablanca, Morocco.

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Dr. Austin Phiri is one of a growing number of African researchers who have been offered the One Planet Fellowship, a career accelerator designed to enhance the capacity of high potential agricultural researchers focused on climate change adaptation, by building their leadership, scientific research, networking, and mentoring skills.