Irish Aid commends climate smart agriculture
The Irish Aid—a development arm of government of Ireland—has commended World Agroforestry Centre for its role in promoting agricultural practices such as conservation agriculture.
This was said at a review conference in Lilongwe meant to find ways of fostering concerted efforts among various implementers such as Ministry of Agriculture officials and donors yesterday.
Blessings Botha, the Irish Aid agricultural and food security adviser said during the meeting their programmes have put emphasis on promoting trees that provide fertilisers, fruits, fuel wood and feed for livestock.
“Climate smart agriculture is a key priority within our Irish Aid support,” said Botha.
The World Agroforestry Centre in conjunction with government and various partners are implementing a second phase of a programme called Agroforestry Food Security Programme (AFSP) that is promoting protection of trees while farming.
World Agroforestry Centre regional representative Sileshi Gudeta said various farmers have been supported and its fruits have even attracted the Flemish Government to support the programme.
“This is the second phase we are reviewing now…we are looking at how implementation went on, for example we are involved in tree planting,” he said.
Gudeta said although it is hard to measure forestry improvement, indicators are there that the situation has improved.
In the first phase of ASP, the centre targeted 11 districts and in the second programme under review, they are targeting three districts of Thyolo, Mzimba and Dedza.
