Farmers in Karonga have commended climate-smart technologies under Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme for addressing flooding and helping to retain soil moisture.
Under the social protection initiative, participants construct contour ridges and swales which prevent floods and keep water for a long time.
. | George Mponda, Mana
In an interview on Wednesday, one of the participants, Alex Mwalilino from Sanambe Catchment Area, said soil and water conservation interventions they implemented helped farmers to prepare for the rainfall.
He said: “Communities constructed contour ridges, made terraces and irrigation canals to conserve water and reduce soil erosion.
“We did not think much of these works but now with the intensity of the rain, these conservation works will boost crop production as they will help reduce the risk of flooding.”
Mwalilino said the rains are unpredictable in the district as sometimes there can be heavy or little rains.
“I have noted that the deep trenches we dug are holding water and crops will depend on it when the rains stop,” he said.
Another participant, Paul Kamanga from Walamba Village in Traditional Authority Kyungu, said last year he lost most of his crops to floods.
“But this year, thanks to the contour ridges and terracing, my crops are safe and I expect a bumper harvest. The programme has also improved my livelihood as I sell organic fertiliser,” he said.
Karonga district land resource and conservation officer Mirabel Munthali said the programme has transformed agriculture practices among farmers.
“The programme has helped to increase crop yields, improve food security and enhance communities’ resilience to climate change shocks,” he said.
Karonga is prone to natural disasters such as floods and dry spells but through the adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices, farmers are adapting to climate-related shocks
