New farming methods save communities

 Communities in Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba District, who embraced climate-smart agriculture technologies, have expressed excitement for a potential bumper harvest.

The farmers adopted the technologies that helped to retain soil moisture and restore nutrients in their gardens.

Speaking on Wednesday at Venge Nyirenda ground in Hora Extension Planning Area, Mervis Solo, a farmer who embraced the technologies, said she will get a bumper yield this farming season.

She said: “I adopted integrated approaches such as the 1-1 planting method, compost manure production, partial fertiliser application and planting improved varieties on five hectares.

“I strictly followed instructions from extension officers.”

M’Mbelwa District Council agriculture service committee chairperson Paul Chombo commended the farmers for adopting climate-smart agriculture technologies.

“We had almost 21 days of dry spells. We cannot deny the fact that this weather has affected farming in most parts of the district and the country at large. However, farmers who practised integrated approaches will get bumper yield,” he said.

The council’s director of agriculture, environment and natural resources Beatrice Mbakaya appealed

 to farmers to adopt climate-smart agriculture technologies to improve crop productivity.

She said: “We have all seen tangible evidence of what climate-smart agriculture technologies can achieve. This is the right time for all of us to start making compost and organic manure since not everyone can buy cheap fertiliser under the Affordable Inputs Programme [AIP].”

This year, dry spells affected some parts of the country, threatening to reduce crop output in the 2023/24 growing season.