Diversify crop production,Rumphi farmers told

 Mzuzu Agriculture Development Division (Mzadd) has urged farmers in Rumphi to diversify crop production to promote food security and improve nutrition among farming households in the district.

Mzadd deputy programme manager Anderson Chikomola made the call on Saturday on the sidelines of an agriculture field day the division, together with Rumphi District Agriculture Extension Coordinating Committee, held at Kawaza Primary School in Bolero Extension Planning Area.

He said crop diversification will help farmers get something from their fields amid the impact of climate change such as prolonged dry spells and floods.

“Farmers should cultivate different crops. This is crucial because they will rely on  other crops when others fail and will be able to be resilient and make farming as a business,” said Chikomola.

Rumphi District Council chairperson Harry Mnyenyembe said agriculture field days are important because they help in making crop estimates and help farmers draw important lessons from new farming technologies.

One of the farmers, Florence Nkhonjera, who grows banana and rears pigs, encouraged her

 fellow women to become economically independent by venturing in farming.

She said: “It is important for women to engage in farming because we are mothers and we have huge responsibilities of supplying our families with food.”

This year’s agricultural field day was commemorated under the theme ‘Building rural communities’ resilience through agricultural diversification and agri-business development