‘Continuous rains to affect maize harvest’
The continuous rains being experienced in some parts of the country are likely to affect harvested maize they are wetter than during dry periods, a crop expert has projected.
Vernon Kabambe from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) said this in an interview yesterday that despite a considerable harvest being recorded in the 2017/18 farming season, the harvests will go to waste if serious rains continue to be experienced in parts of the country.
His sentiments come at a time when the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has predicted continuous rainfall which is likely to cause flooding, mostly in the Northern lakeshore areas of the country.
The development also comes at a time when farmers have been negatively affected by the combined effects of fall armyworm outbreak and dry spells in the 2017/18 farming season which the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development said has so far affected an estimated 580 000 hectares of maize.
Following the developments, fears has been rife that the country may not record a bumper harvest.
But Kabambe also said the continuous rains provide an opportunity for farmers to take advantage and plant other crops.
He, however, said the effects will depend on the maize variety.
Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services director Jolam Nkhokwe said there is need for people to utilise the rains to indulge in activities that can help in reducing calamities that are befalling the country as a result of climate change.
