At just 27 years old, Lawi Hawuhawu is proving that young people can thrive in agriculture.
A third-year Diploma in Agriculture (General) student at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) Natural Resources College (NRC), Lawi is excelling in poultry farming while still in school as she is not just learning about farming in the classroom but also excelling in real-world poultry production.
In a phone interview with ProjectM, Lawi said her passion for agriculture led her to start Tadzuka Permaculture Start-up, a poultry business she co-founded with four other members in Lilongwe.
The start-up specialises in Local Germany chickens known as Coffee and Cream chickens, a breed highly sought after for its high egg production, quality meat and resilience.
Lawi’s poultry journey began in 2022 with 300 fertilised eggs, but only 70 chicks hatched, a rough start that tested her patience and determination.
However, she remained focused, knowing that Local Germany chickens are dual-purpose, adapting well to local climates and fetching better prices due to their weight and quality.
Today, her farm has 173 chickens producing between 90 to 130 eggs daily. She supplies vendors and individual households.
“The demand is quite high because these chickens are resistant to harsh conditions, making them easier to raise,” she told ProjectM.
One of Lawi’s biggest strengths is her ability to cut costs by making her own feed. Unlike many farmers who struggle with high commercial feed prices, she uses locally available grains such as maize, sunflower cake, soya, and rice bran.
“We mix our own feed using what we can source locally. Additionally, we also grow greens in a small garden to supplement the chickens’ diet,” she said.
Though she sometimes buys commercial feed, her self-sufficiency allows her to stay profitable even when feed prices fluctuate.
To increase productivity, Lawi uses incubators to hatch chicks, ensuring a steady supply of birds for both meat and egg production.
She also takes advantage of social media and posters to market her business, making her products easily accessible to customers.
Like many small-scale poultry farmers, Lawi faces challenges such as fluctuating prices of maize and soya, expensive vaccines and limited space for expansion.
However, through training and technical support from agricultural cooperatives, she continues to refine her skills and find solutions.
“The knowledge I have gained from school and agricultural cooperatives has been key to our success. I want to expand our farm and become a leading supplier of Local Germany chickens in Malawi,” she said.
Agriculture and policy expert, Eden Mzumara emphasises that feed costs remain a major challenge, accounting for about 70 percent of poultry production expenses.
He, however said that farmers can cut costs by: ” Using alternative feed sources: Maize bran, rice bran, cassava peels and even protein-rich insects like black soldier fly larvae,
On-farm feed mixing: Buying ingredients in bulk and mixing their own feed saves money.
“Free-range feeding: Allowing chickens to forage during the day and supplementing in the evening reduces reliance on commercial feed and Reducing waste: Proper feeders and storage can prevent losses from spillage and spoilage,” said Mzumara.
The expert also highlights the promising future for poultry farming in Malawi, especially for indigenous and specialty breeds like Local Germany chickens.
These breeds are resilient, adapt well to local climates, and are in high demand due to their taste and perceived health benefits.
Lawi’s journey from an agriculture student to a thriving poultry farmer is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience.
