Mangochi lead farmers asked to promote new farming technologies

National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (Nasfam) has urged lead farmers in Mangochi to play a leading role in encouraging people to adopt modern farming technologies.

Nasfam business manager Tarcizio Chimbwanya made the call on Wednesday at Masuku Extension Planning Area (EPA), Traditional Authority (T/A) Bwananyambi in the district during a field day the association held for smallholder farmers.

The event, held under the theme ‘Modern Farming Technologies to Arrest Climate Change’, was organised to spread messages of modern farming technologies to the lead farmers so that they can relay the same to the communities.

In an interview after inspecting the field of one of the model lead farmers, Chimbwanya challenged the farmers to go flat out and propagate modern farming technologies so that fathey reap good harvests despite the prevailing effects of climate change.

He said: ““We are talking about things like the use of manure to keep moisture in the soil, doing ground cover in the soil, planting recommended new varieties, early planting crops, among other new technologies that are resilient to climate change.

“Therefore, let me implore you all the lead farmers to use your positions and champion ways that will help people harvest more yields to beat food shortage brought about by climate change.”

A lead farmer, Kenneth Wanyawa, whose field was the centre of attraction during the field day, pledged to visit farmers in the villages to educate them on proper and modern farming practices.