The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in partnership with the Japanese Government, has supported smallholder farmers from Mthilansembe Irrigation Scheme in Traditional Authority Ngabu in Chikwawa Dwith farm inputs.
The items, including maize and bean seeds as well as fertiliser, seek to empower farmers to boost their crop productivity to address food and income security in the district.
Speaking on Tuesday during the handover of the items in the district, FAO land governance specialist Yvonne Mmangisa said the initiative seeks to contribute to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)
Number 1 which talks about ending poverty in all its forms and SDG Number 2 which is about ending hunger.
“We tend to boost food production and safeguard lives and livelihood of farming households with positive change in terms of food
security,” she said.
On his part, Japanese Ambassador Yoichi Oya said the farm inputs seek to support El-Nino-affected farming communities in the Southern Region through emergency agriculture-based interventions.
He said: “This support aligns perfectly with Japan’s broader commitment to Africa. At the Tokyo International Conference on African Development held in August, Japan promised to contribute to enhance food security and nutrition, among others.
“It is our pleasure to enhance food production and safeguard lives and livelihoods of the affected population.”
Chikwawa district director of agriculture Isaac Alli appealed for further support.
“We are grateful for the support. We urge other stakeholders to step forward and contribute towards farming initiatives,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Lyson Katacha, said the seed and fertiliser will empower him to harvest enough for his family.
“With the rainy season around the corner, the farm inputs have come on time. I will now work hard on my garden knowing that I have the inputs ready for use,” he said.
