How Trust Kasambala Donga Is Empowering Malawi’s Farmers to Thrive

For Dr. Trust Kasambala Donga, science has always been about people.

Growing up in Malawi, Trust saw firsthand how much families depend on farming for survival. Agriculture accounts for about one quarter of the country's economy and employs around 75% of the population. Most farmers are smallholders, cultivating small plots of land that provide food and income for their families ¹.

Across Africa, smallholder farmers grow maize and other staple crops. Yet, many remain vulnerable to pests such as fall armyworms. These caterpillars feed on maize leaves and can quickly destroy entire fields, causing severe crop losses. According to estimates from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), fall armyworm causes up to $9.4 billion in crop losses across the continent each year².

“When I saw fall armyworms in the fields, I did not see crops at risk – I saw meals on millions of tables at risk too,” says Trust.

Many farmers rely on chemical pesticides to protect their crops. However, these products can be expensive and, if not used carefully, may harm people, animals and the environment. Some farmers simply cannot afford them at all.

Seeing these challenges up close inspired Trust to pursue a career in science. She focused on entomology (the study of insects) and sustainable agriculture. Her goal was to find safer and more affordable ways to protect crops.

Over time, her research led to the development of biopesticide technologies designed to control armyworms without relying on harmful chemicals. Biopesticides are pest control solutions made from natural materials, such as microorganisms or plant extracts, which can target pests while being safer for people and ecosystems.

Her research showed strong potential to help farmers. Yet she soon realized that scientific breakthroughs alone are not enough to reach the people who need them.

When Innovation Stays in the Laboratory

Around the world, universities and public research institutions generate valuable innovations every year. Yet many discoveries never reach the market because researchers often lack experience in intellectual property (IP), commercialization and industry partnerships.

In many developing countries, technology transfer systems are still emerging, making it difficult for scientists to move innovations from the laboratory to society.

Trust had little experience in IP and did not know how to protect her inventions. She also had limited exposure to partnerships with companies that could help produce and distribute her technology. Regulatory approval processes were complex and unfamiliar and funding to scale up was difficult to secure.

Most importantly, there was no clear pathway to move her research from the laboratory to the marketplace.

“When it comes to pests and diseases, solutions lie with the farmers themselves through their traditional control and preventive methods,” says Trust.

Without protection and commercialization strategies, her biopesticides risked remaining confined to academic publications rather than helping farmers in the field.

Building A Bridge Between Science and Society

The turning point came through collaboration with Chrispin Kaphaika, Technology Transfer Officer at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR).

Chrispin is part of a growing community of technology transfer professionals helping researchers turn scientific discoveries into practical solutions.

Raised in a rural agricultural community himself, he understood both the challenges farmers face and the realities within research institutions.

“Deep down, I knew I wanted to make a difference, not only for my own community, but for countless others facing the same challenges,” he says.

Through capacity-building programs supported by WIPO, Chrispin received training and mentorship in intellectual property management and technology commercialization. He developed practical skills in IP strategy, invention disclosure, licensing and industry partnerships.

These programs helped him see how IP can help innovators move beyond the laboratory. Motivated by his exposure, he pursued a master’s degree in IP, graduating at the top of his class. Earning the degree significantly strengthened his ability to apply his knowledge within LUANAR.

Working closely with Trust, Chrispin helped integrate IP and technology transfer strategies into her research process.

Together, they identified her research outputs, explored ways to protect them and prepared formal disclosures. They also began exploring partnerships and navigating regulatory pathways to bring the technology closer to farmers.

Through this collaboration, promising research began to evolve into protected and investable innovations.

From Researcher to Science Entrepreneur

Today, Trust works not only as a researcher, but also as a science entrepreneur.

She now views her innovations as products that must be practical and accessible for farmers. She considers factors such as affordability, quality control and how farmers will use the technology in real conditions.

With technology transfer support, her biopesticides have been reviewed and cleared by Malawi’s Agricultural Technology Clearing Committee and she is also working with the Pesticide Control Board to move closer to full market approval.

This progress represents years of collaboration and patient work behind the scenes.

“Working with Trust continues to be both inspiring and rewarding,” Chrispin says. “Her journey demonstrates how IP and technology transfer can amplify the impact of sustainable biopesticide innovations.”

For Trust, her goal remains simple: “The glory of a technology is when farmers are using it.”

Background

Trust’s journey has been enabled by WIPO’s broader efforts to strengthen technology transfer systems in developing countries.

Through its technology transfer and commercialization programs, WIPO supports universities, research institutions and innovation professionals to manage intellectual property and bring research results into practical use.

Chrispin Kaphaika participated in WIPO’s On-the-Job Training Program in Southern Africa. These initiatives equip professionals like Chrispin with the skills needed to guide researchers through the journey from laboratory discovery to practical application.

Learn more about WIPO’s Technology Transfer services.