Dr Wezi MHANGO
About Dr Wezi MHANGO
Dr Wezi Mhango is an Associate Professor of Agronomy at Bunda College of Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. She holds a PhD in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University, USA; a Master of Science in Soil Science from the University of Malawi, and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (with credit) from the University of Malawi. She is a seasoned professional with 15+ years of experience in research and outreach in cropping systems agronomy, agroecology, maize-legume production systems, soil health management, reducing aflatoxin contamination during field production, and seed quality. Her main research areas of interest include agroecology, soil science and cropping systems agronomy with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices. Current research includes Farmer research networks and multi environmental trials for soil health, crop productivity and livelihoods [funded by The Mc Knight Foundation] building on previous long term soil health research with farmers from 2006-2021 also funded by the Mc Knight Foundation; Indigenous microsymbionts for food and forage legumes [National Commission for Science and Technology in Malawi- Science Granting Council Initiative]; and Developing agronomic packages for peanut production in Malawi [USAID FtF program Peanut Innovation Lab]. Previous research include Agroecological Intensification in Malawi – maize mixed farming system through action research with farmers under the USAID Feed the Future – Africa RISING (Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation] from 2014-2023; on-farm agroecological research on maize -legume systems focusing on soil health and crop productivity funded by the Mc Knight Foundation; Impact evaluation study on effects of warehouse receipt system and demonstration plots on adoption of integrated soil fertility technologies, crop yields and income (funded by International Initiative for Impact Evaluation -3ie); and Payment for soil fertility information in Malawi [Middlebury University]. Prior to joining the University, Dr Mhango managed a community-based cooperative society specializing in rain-fed and irrigated horticultural and maize production in Salima district of Malawi. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8704-2654 Email: wmhango@luanar.ac.mw
Research Interest for: Dr Wezi MHANGO
Indigenous microsymbionts for food and forage legumes
Research focusing on indigenous rhizobia species (isolations and production of rhizobia inoculants) to enhance nutrient cycling, biological nitrogen fixation and productivity of food and forage legumes.
Maize-legume cropping systems
Maize-legume production systems in different agro-ecologies; design and assessment of sustainable intensification (SI) technologies; cropping system agronomy, climate smart production practices
Developing efficient agronomic packages for peanut production
Input packages x agronomic practices for peanut production
Agroecology, cropping systems agronomy, soil science
Agroecological (AE) options for improving performance of maize-legume production systems ; cropping systems agronomy; crop diversification (intercrops and crop rotations); recycling of resources, biological nitrogen fixation, AE options for improving soil health; participatory on-farm trials; how to improve resilience in smallholder farming systems