Assessing the effect of spatial-temporal droughts on dominant crop yield changes in Central Malawi.

Central Malawi has intensely been subjected to different climate-related shocks such as floods, dry spells, and droughts, resulting in decreases in crop yields. Due to their recurrence arising from the effects of climate change, drought characterization, monitoring, and prediction are crucial in guiding agriculture-water users and planners to prepare drought risk management plans and early warning systems. This research analyzed droughts, using multiple drought indices and their impacts on dominant crops over Central Malawi. Forty years of hydro-meteorological data (1977-2017) from nine rain-gauging stations and crop yield data from 1983 to 2017 from four districts were analyzed. The study discovered that drought events in the Agricultural Development Division (ADD) are highly a function of rainfall deficit and high temperatures. The results highlighted that the rainfall patterns in the area are not dependable, calling for the utilization of climate-smart irrigation systems such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting technologies. Furthermore, we achieved that crops such as cassava and groundnuts must be promoted to withstand the long water stress duration. These crops also have a multiplier effect; hence, they can enhance food security in the region. This study recommends that using more robust variables in drought analysis studies is necessary for effective drought monitoring and early warning systems. In corroboration with disaster management NGOs, it is recommended that the government should be proactive in developing integrated drought management policies and planning strategies for drought adaptation and mitigation.

Geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves as sustainable irrigation water sources: case of Linthipe sub-basin.

The geophysical investigation of dambo groundwater reserves using electrical resistivity methods was conducted in Linthipe 4B sub basin in Central region of Malawi. With the increasing over-utilization of shallow wells in dambos for smallholder irrigation, this study was carried out to investigate whether dambo groundwater reserves could serve as sustainable irrigation water sources and to examine the aquifer characteristics in Linthipe sub basin. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) points were established in the basin using the Schlumberger configuration array. Data was analysed using IPI2win and Surfer software applications. Contrary to other commercial software applications which are costly for government departments when analysing geophysical data, partial curve matching and one dimensional (1-D) computer iteration techniques were used to interpret the VES curves and the pseudo-cross section resistivity profiles due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. The study has revealed that the aquifer properties in the basin are exceptionally variable in terms of state of weathering, depth, thickness, lithology, aquifer recharge configuration, geologic material and hydraulic gradients. These variations showed that the shallow wells in the basin have significant fractures suggesting high water potential for climate smart irrigation usage in the study area. The potential groundwater zones for climate smart irrigated farming were detected at VES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 noted by low aquifer resistivity with high values of aquifer thickness. However, VES points, 7, 8 and 9 were likely to be zones of low water bearing potential because they had high values of aquifer resistivity with low aquifer thickness. The findings also validated the effectiveness, timeliness, and efficiency of using vertical electrical resistivity technique in exploring groundwater for irrigation. The results from this study have highlighted that feasible shallow well depth for a sustainable irrigation system is a function of geologic resistance and aquifer thickness when the geologic material has low resistance and broader thickness. This study noted that knowledge of aquifer recharge rates in dambos is required in order to effectively control abstraction rates for sustainable irrigation in basins. There is a need to promote the usage of geophysical studies, reforestation, river basin management trainings and aquifer recharge technologies in exploring sites for shallow well development for irrigation. The study further recommends the usage of geographical information systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in improving the results of groundwater monitoring studies in Malawi.