Nkhata Bay district chief agriculture officer Upe Museko Phiri has urged farmers to embrace drought-tolerant crops to strengthen food, income and nutrition security amid climate change-related shocks.
She said this on Saturday during a district field day at Mkondezi Research Station under the theme ‘Agriculture diversification and commercialisation: Key to achieving food, income and nutrition security at household level’.
Phiri said climate change continues to affect agricultural productivity through prolonged dry spells and increased crop diseases.
“Most diseases affecting crops and reducing agricultural sales are linked to changing weather patterns. Farmers need to adopt drought-tolerant crops and improved farming technologies to withstand harsh climatic conditions,” she said.
Phiri further described field days as important learning platforms where farmers appreciate modern agricultural practices through demonstrations.
“Farmers learn better by seeing the technologies themselves. They witness integrated farming systems and other improved methods that can help boost production,” she said.
A farmer, Dickson Phiri from Chinguluwe Banana Association, said banana farming has benefitted many farmers economically.
“We are facing challenges such as banana bunchy top disease, especially during periods of unstable weather conditions,” he said.
Phiri encouraged farmers to practise proper crop management and avoid mixing bananas with taller crops, saying poor farming practices can increase the spread of diseases and affect crop growth.
