About ulimi.labs
Independent studio · Lilongwe / Berlin
We bring human-centred design, research and practical digital thinking to climate-smart agriculture in Malawi.
Why we exist
ulimi.labs is an independent partnership working across Lilongwe and Berlin. We explore how information, tools and ways of collaborating can support clearer agricultural decisions under changing climate conditions.
Our role is often to connect perspectives: field realities and research evidence, local knowledge and digital practice, urgent programme needs and longer-term learning.
The partnership
ulimi.labs is led jointly across Berlin and Lilongwe, connecting two places and perspectives within one working partnership.
Co-founder · Environmental engineering, agriculture and digital practice
Patrick works from Berlin and brings a background in environmental engineering, sustainable agriculture, digital practice and business development. He has worked in Malawi and combines field experience with strategy and digital thinking. Through Go Green Malawi and ulimi.labs, he connects partners, research and funding conversations with priorities shaped by teams working in Malawi.
Co-founder · Sustainable agriculture, water and digital practice
Michael works from Lilongwe and brings a background in sustainable agriculture, sustainable water supply, digital practice and NGO collaboration. Through his work with Malawian organisations, he has built a strong network across institutions and field practitioners. At ulimi.labs, he combines local context, practical relationships and digital thinking to shape and test field-based work across Malawi.
Services
We work with NGOs, research teams and farmer-facing programmes on focused assignments or as a thinking and delivery partner across a longer piece of work.
See typical outputs and engagement formatsTurn a broad challenge into focused research questions, a useful evidence base and a clear set of decisions or knowledge gaps.
Plan interviews, observation and collaborative inquiry around the realities, knowledge and constraints of the people involved.
Translate forecasts, field observations and research findings into formats that are easier to discuss, question and use.
Shape and test lightweight digital tools or service ideas before committing to a full technical build.
Define small, practical tests with clear assumptions, feedback loops and a useful path to the next iteration.
Create focused working sessions that align roles, surface trade-offs and turn shared questions into concrete next steps.
Field work
Our current field project makes questions and methods tangible. We will add further work here as it develops and is ready to share.
On a six-hectare site in Madizi, we are growing fruit and vegetable varieties that are uncommon in our immediate context. The plot lets us observe what establishes well, what needs adaptation and which questions deserve a closer test.
Current work
Next tests
Working experiments, not finished recommendations. We will share methods, observations and limits as the project develops.
How we work
The same three moves guide research, service design and field learning — keeping the work useful, legible and grounded.
We begin with the choice someone needs to make, not with a technology looking for a use.
Research, local knowledge and field conditions belong in the same conversation — with uncertainty made visible.
We keep first versions small enough to learn from, then adapt them with the people who will use the result.
Take it with you