NGO supports people with potato vines in Mzimba
Centre for Holistic Inclusion in Social Milestone Organisation has distributed potato vines to 85 households in group village head Chipekenya in Traditional Authority Mtwalo in Mzimba District.
The initiative seeks to empower farmers with alternative food crops after prolonged dry spells scorched maize in some parts of the district.

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A beneficiary Moses Chawinga said the potatoes will improve the area’s food security.
He said: “It is good to diversify in our farming because relying on one crop such as maize is proving risky in the wake of climate change impact such as floods or dry spells.
“We are, therefore, banking our hope on potato production to make our families food secure.”
Chawinga also commended the organisation for distributing 70 chicks to 10 households last year on a pass-on programme.
The organisation’s board member Salome Luhanga said the initiative was part of their vision to ensure food security in rural households.
She said: “We are distributing these vines because we know the potatoes are a good source of vitamin A, which is a vital nutrient in the body.
“We hope that more households will benefit as we encourage beneficiaries to multiply the vines.”
Mzimba North District Agriculture Office crops officer Mwiza Munthali said the vines will cover an estimated space of seven hectares.
“We are encouraging households to consume yellow potatoes to enhance their nutrition. We appreciate the role stakeholders are playing in supporting farmers with resources such as the vines to grow other crops to improve food security,” he said.