Co-design and deployment of AgroTutor: a participatory digital advisory tool for sustainable intensification in Malawi

Context: Declining soil fertility, climate variability, and a high extension-to-farmer ratio continue to constrain productivity and adoption of sustainable practices in Malawi’s maize-based farming systems. Objective: To co-develop a participatory offline-capable digital advisory tool, to overcome extension capacity constraints and bridge the gap between research outputs on sustainable intensification (SI) and extension delivery. Methods: We developed AgroTutor, a participatory digital advisory tool designed primarily for use by frontline extension agents to deliver context-specific sustainable intensification advisories to smallholder farmers. Using Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework (SIAF), 17 validated SI technologies such as Conservation Agriculture, improved legume rotation using doubled-up legume system, organic soil amendments, soil fertility management, and agroforestry options were evaluated by experts across six agroecological zone × soil-texture combinations for Malawi. This resulted in a technology suitability index that anchors the tool’s decision support logic of the AgroTutor. The tool was implemented as an offline-capable Progressive Web Application (PWA) with embedded training materials, enabling extension agents to facilitate both individual and group-based advisory sessions to farmers in environments with limited internet connectivity. Results and conclusions: Results revealed strong environmental sensitivity in the tool’s recommendations: ripping emerged as the best tillage option on sandy soils across all agroecological zones, whereas permanent raised beds performed better in High-Altitude clayey soils. Doubled-up legume rotations (pigeon pea + groundnut and pigeon pea + soybean) were highly suited to Lakeshore and Mid-Altitude zones. Integrated soil fertility management combining high-quality manure and synthetic fertilizer (NPK + urea) was consistently effective, while the performance of green manuring and biomass transfer were context dependent. A pilot involving 320 farmers confirmed AgroTutor’s suitability, its accuracy, and ability to generate contextualized recommendations. Significance: AgroTutor demonstrates how digital tools can translate expert knowledge into adaptive, farmer-centered advisories, providing a scalable pathway for integrating context-specific SI recommendations into national extension systems. By supporting both individual and group-based outreach, the tool can substantially reduce the high extension-to-farmer ratio while enhancing the efficiency and last-mile delivery of agricultural advisory services.