Trade programme hailed for improving people’s lives
Agriculture authorities in Thyolo District have commended the Transforming Agriculture Through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (Trade) programme for improving people’s livelihoods.
Thyolo Centre Extension Planning Area (EPA) extension officer Dyton Kafulama, who is also responsible for Mtambanyama Milk Bulking Groups, said the programme has empowered dairy farmers in a number of ways.
He said this on Wednesday during a tour of Dwale and Thyolo Centre EPAs.
Kafulama said dairy farmers were now making more profit from selling milk, enabling them to meet their basic needs such as food, shelter and school fees.
“The Trade programme is an eye-opener for farmers, helping them diversify their farming. They are now growing various crops such as soya beans, tomatoes, cabbages and maize, in addition to selling milk,” he said.
Trade desk officer Kingsley Masinga said the project focuses on empowering farmers to treat farming as a business through supporting milk bulking groups.
“It is encouraging to see farmers not only focusing on production but also on selling their produce,” he said.
Masinga said the programme has made good progress, particularly in moving from community-level engagement and planning to a more personalised, family-level approach.
A beneficiary, Titani Banda from Mpeni Milk Bulking Group, said she now takes farming as a business.
The six-year project, implemented by the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, is running in 10 districts with funds from International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Open Fund for International Development
