Kasungu farmers prepare for drought
Some farmers in Kasungu under Find Your Feet (FYF) organisation have started preparing land for farming using sustainable agriculture technologies to mitigate effects of climate change.
During a media tour last week, it was observed that farmers in Chulu extension planning area (EPA) were covering their fields with stalks for conservation agriculture and preparing fields for pit planting.
One of the farmers, Gertrude Nkosi, said the technologies help harvest water and retain moisture in the fields during dry spells.
“My family harvests plenty amidst droughts due to the sustainable technologies. That is why I am preparing the field early to plant with the first rains,” she said.
FYF country director Chimwemwe Soko said the organisation targets to reach out to 15 000 households with sustainable agriculture technologies to improve soil fertility and harvest water for use during droughts.
“With climate change, problems in Kasungu are quite enormous. The area is almost arid because it receives very little amounts of rains. Generally, people face hunger throughout the year,” he said.
He said the activities are being implemented under the K400 million Malawi-Mozambique Sustainable Food Security Project with funding from the Development Fund of Norway.
FYF trustee Martha Bvumbwe said the organisation is impressed with activities taking place in the district in mitigating effects of climate change.
