Enjoying the good life in Malawi
A British civil servant with the diplomatic service has written to Country Smallholding about his ‘good life’ in Malawi.
A year ago, David Grocott moved to Malawi from a one-bedroom flat in London. “I’ve used my spare time to set up an organic smallholding in my back garden,” he said. “We have 10 pigs, 11 chickens, and a bee hive… plus three rescue dogs!
“We sell our produce – vegetables, fruit, eggs, chickens, weaners, homemade lemonade and suchlike – once a month at a local ‘farmers’ market and have started offering training and services to others who are keen to grow their own. Everything we do is organic – we use a local plant, Tephrosia vogelii, as a natural pesticide and make all our own compost.”
The smallholding is managed by Nepear Nkhwali, a local gardener. “He has now completed his Permaculture Design Certificate at a local institute and is much in demand for his knowledge!” said David. “Nepear uses the profit we make from selling produce to pay school fees for his two young sons, Robert and Patience.
“Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, so things get done a little differently here. We have to make do and mend, in the true smallholder tradition! “And in case you are wondering how I get Country
Smallholding in Malawi, it comes through the ‘Diplomatic Bag’ once a month!”