While some tobacco farmers decry low prices, their counterpart in Mangochi are smiling—thanks to crop diversification and modern farming practices.
The farmers, who once relied on tobacco, are switching to maize, rice, tomatoes, potatoes, cotton and other crops in escape from poor returns amid rising production costs.
“I grew tobacco farming for over five years, but there wasn’t much to show for the hard labour,” says Semu Patrick, chairperson of Yankho Irrigation Scheme in Nankumba Village, Traditional Authority Nankumba.
His breakthrough came when he made it a habit to grow diverse crops using irrigation and other farming techniques that boost yield from small plots amid climate change.
“When agriculture experts came, they challenged us to try other crops. I was one of the early farmers to take up the challenge,” says Patrick, who “earned his first million in no time”.
He now owns a fleet of motorcycles for hire, 10 cows, 30 goats and numerous chickens.
“I am expecting to harvest over 200 bags of maize weighing 50kgs and plenty of tomatoes. I’m going to make millions,” he brags.
Mercy Kasokoneza, 35, shares a similar story.
“Before, we thought our future was in tobacco farming, but it was slavish,” she says. “I struggled to feed and educate my children until I decided not to put all my eggs in one basket.”
Kasokoneza’s family is not just food-secure. She now sends her children to coveted schools in the area.
Yuna Dyton, from Chigonere Section has hit gold in maize farming.
“We plant multiple maize varieties using Mbeya, a mixture of chemical fertiliser and manure. We have become role models in terms of modern farming methods,” he says.
Mangochi District director of agriculture, environment and natural resources Nditani Maluwa recommends crop diversification and high-yielding methods as harvests keep falling due to climate change, loss of soil fertility and shrinking land size per farmer.
“Take advantage of the abundant natural resources and adopt intensive modern farming practices to transform this district into the country’s food basket,” he said during a field day at Nankumba Community Ground.
He reckons Mangochi, oversimplified as a fishing ground in public discourse, is uniquely positioned for agricultural success due to its fertile soils and abundant water.
The water bodies with fertile alluvial soils include Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe and the Shire River.
Sustainable agriculture is promoted as a boon in the global push for Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, hunger and inequalities.
The government works lead farmers and private service providers to improve crop harvests, access to lucrative markets and reduce exploitation by vendors.
Maluwa says Mangochi District Council is committed to ensuring all farmers are food secure and financially independent by 2030.
Mangochi District Council chairperson Abdul Yusuf says irrigation and crop diversification is key as they guarantee farmers at least two harvests amid climate change.
“In the face of erratic rainfall, irrigation is the most sustainable solution for ensuring food security,” he said.
The agriculture field day was held to promote sustainable farming for better nutrition, profitable markets and climate resilience.”
