Dowa farmers told to grow indigenous crops

Farmers in Dowa West have been urged to stop using chemicals in their fields to restore fertility and grow indigenous crops.

Speaking during a field day on Thursday, Kusamala Institute for Agriculture and Ecology board chairperson Stacia Nordin asked the farmers to start growing indigenous vegetables, saying they are good for one’s health.

She said: “Malawians, especially people from Dowa, should start growing local vegetables like chisoso, mwamuna aligone, luni and others.These crops are good for our health as they do not require any chemicals unlike other modern brands.”

The institute’s executive director, Molly Cheatum, asked the farmers to work in clubs to yield more and help each other where possible.

She said: “With collaborative efforts, farmers can achieve more than working individually as it is also easier to find markets as a group.”

Cheatum said her organisation in collaboration with other partners is committed to help sustain food availability in the homes of the farmers as well as ensure that they make profit out of it.

Senior Chief Dzoole thanked his people for cooperating with Kusamala and appealed to the organisation to extend the project period to reach out to more villages in his area.

Dzoole said that Malawi needs to conserve its food culture. He further asked government extension workers to work hand in hand with organisations that come to improve the livelihood of villagers in his area.

Kusamala project manager Chisomo Kamchacha said the project is working with 1 500 farmers from Dzoole, Mponela and Nambuma areas in Dowa.— Mana