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Production of biomass briquettes of good strength and combustion characteristics usually requires the addition of a binder material to the feedstock. This study was aimed at developing a methodology for producing briquettes from water hyacinth at low compression pressures without using a binder material. Fresh water hyacinth was chopped to a maximum length of 3 cm, sun-dried to a moisture content of about 10%, mixed with shredded waste office paper in four water hyacinth to paper proportions on weight basis (100:0, 90:10, 80:20 and 70:30). The mixtures were soaked in water for three days and briquetted using a 6-cylinder screw briquetting machine. The resulting briquettes were subjected to standard strength and combustion tests. A Completely Randomized Design with four treatments replicated five times was used as the experimental design. Results from the study indicate no significant differences in compressed density, relaxed density, relaxation ratio and calorific value between the briquettes. The results further indicate that briquettes made without a binder material have significantly low but adequate shatter resistance, low ignition time, high burning rate and take a longer time to bring water to boil. It can be concluded that good quality water hyacinth briquettes can be produced at low compression pressures without using a binder material. This methodology can potentially increase adoption of water hyacinth briquettes in areas with poor access to binder materials. The originality of the research is the development of a water hyacinth briquetting methodology that does not use binder materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface irrigation is associated with low irrigation efficiencies and exerts a lot of pressure on water resources. Despite this, the irrigation method remains dominant in Malawi and other sub-Saharan Africa countries. A need exists to improve surface irrigation efficiencies in the wake of water scarcity. Applications of surface irrigation simulation, evaluation and design (SIRMOD) software in improving surface irrigation performance have been reported worldwide. However, no documentation exists on SIRMOD application in Malawi. A study was therefore conducted to investigate how furrow irrigation system performance could be improved at Kasinthula Cane Growers Scheme in Malawi using SIRMOD software. Field data collected from the scheme were used to calibrate the model before simulating water advance and recession times. Statistical comparisons of the simulated advance and recession times with corresponding observed field data showed that the model closely simulated field conditions; hence, it was deemed suitable for the scheme. Results from SIRMOD optimization procedure indicated that application efficiencies could be improved by 32–63% through reductions in furrow lengths, water inflow sizes and inflow cutoff times. The study established the need for Malawi and other developing countries to develop policies on optimization of irrigation performance using computer models such as SIRMOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malawi's dairy farming is dominated by smallholder farmers living in rural areas. The farmers practise hand-milking and have an unreliable supply of clean water. Consequently, low milk yields of generally low quality are realized. Machines can safely be used for milking cows if proper hygiene exists. Utilization of milking machines requires a steady supply of clean water, hence the need for water pumps. Milking machine and water pump operation require a steady energy supply, yet access to the national electricity grid is currently very low in rural areas. The current study assessed energy and water use among smallholder dairy farmers at Chitsanzo Milk Bulking Group in Dedza, Malawi. The study also assessed the farmers' knowledge and interest in use of solar-powered milking machines and groundwater pumps. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The study shows that most farmers spent huge amounts of time fetching water due to long distances (0.08–2 km) to water sources; hence, approximately 90% of the respondents under-watered their dairy animals. All milking was done by hand, which is time consuming and increases the chance of milk contamination. A need to research the introduction of solar-powered milking machines and groundwater water pumping was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As countries of sub-Saharan Africa expand irrigation to improve food security and foster economic growth, it is important to quantify the malaria risk associated with this process. Irrigated ecosystems can be associated with increased malaria risk, but this relationship is not fully understood. We studied this relationship at the Bwanje Valley Irrigation Scheme (800 hectares) in Malawi. Household prevalence of malaria and indoor Anopheles density were quantified in two cross-sectional studies in 2016 and 2017 (5,829 residents of 1,091 households). Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate the association between distance to the irrigation scheme and malaria infection and mosquito density. The prevalence of malaria infection was 50.2% (2,765/5,511) by histidine-rich protein 2-based malaria rapid diagnostic tests and 30.1% (1,626/5,403) by microscopy. Individuals residing in households within 3 km of the scheme had significantly higher prevalence of infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18, 1.68); school-aged children had the highest prevalence among age groups (aOR = 1.34; 95% CI 1.11, 1.63). Individuals who reported bed net use, and households with higher socioeconomic status and higher level of education for household head or spouse, had lower odds of malaria infection. Female Anopheles mosquitoes (2,215 total; Anopheles arabiensis, 90.5%, Anopheles funestus, 9.5%) were significantly more abundant in houses located within 1.5 km of the scheme. Proximity of human dwellings to the irrigation scheme increased malaria risk, but higher household wealth index reduced risk. Therefore, multisectoral approaches that spur economic growth while mitigating increased malaria transmission are needed for people living close to irrigated sites.