NGOs ask farmers to plant early

Youth for Development and Productivity (Yodepo) and Beyond Our Hearts Foundation have asked farmers in Zomba and Neno districts to plant early and use fast-maturing maize varieties.

The advice follows a weather report by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services which forecasts below to normal rainfall in November, particularly in Southern and Northern Malawi.

Speaking on Friday in Blantyre during an Anticipatory Action Training on the use of weather and climate information organised by Save the Children in partnership with Yodep and Beyond Our Hearts Foundation, Yodep projects manager Joe Mwandama said they will advise farmers from Zomba to plant early-maturing maize varieties.

“Planting early-maturing and drought resistant varieties will improve food security,” he said.

Beyond Our Hearts Foundation executive director Russell Msiska said besides encouraging communities in Neno to plant early-maturing crops, they will also warn people against exposure to direct sunlight.

He said extreme heat has health implications on humans as it leads to lower blood pressure which makes the heart work harder to push the blood around the body.

On his part, Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services deputy director Charles Vanya said there is a possibility of delayed rain onset by at least two weeks in some areas.

Save the Children senior area operations and humanitarian manager Steve Kamtimaleka said weather forecasts are important to prevent emergencies and respond effectively during humanitarian response.

“Systematic analysis of weather helps better understanding on disaster preparedness and developing early action protocols,” he said.

The training involved the academia from Malawi University of Science and Technology.