Mzuzu Agricultural Development Division (ADD) acting programme manager Francis Chilenga has called on farmers in Mzimba District to embrace greenhouse farming to boost yields and income amid climate challenges.
He said this on Saturday at Mathandani in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kampingo Sibande in the district during the launch of integrated catchment management organised by Mzimba South Agriculture Office.
Chilenga said greenhouse technology offers farmers a chance to produce high-value crops such as tomato, sweet pepper and leafy vegetables on small pieces of land.
He said: “Greenhouse farming is an agricultural method where crops are grown within enclosed structures covered with transparent or translucent materials, such as glass or plastic.
“With a greenhouse, a farmer can harvest two to 10 times more from the same piece of land compared to open field production. The technology also reduces crop losses caused by diseases and extreme weather conditions.”
Chilenga further said his office is encouraging farmers to diversify and adopt other new farming methods such as drip irrigation, agro-forestry, crop rotation, pits and deep bed farming as well as the use of organic manure.
Chankhomi Cooperative secretary Chancy Munthali said the production of tomato in a greenhouse has improved their earnings.
“Last month we realised K2. 3 million from tomato sales,” she said.
Agreeing with him, Inkosi Kampingo Sibande noted that the new farming technologies are helping farmers to overcome climate change shocks.
The integrated launch was held under the theme ‘Integrated catchment management: Key to sustainable agriculture transformation, food, nutrition and income security
