Pigeon pea farmers in seed multiplication drive
Nandolo Farmers Association of Malawi says shortage of hybrid seed on the market has affected the production of pigeon peas in the country.
Speaking on Friday at Chikweo in Machinga during the handover of seed and other farm inputs to Khamalathu Cooperative, the association’s president Susan Chimbayo said pigeon pea farmers fail to produce more due to scarcity of high-yielding hybrid seed.
“The association signed a grant with United States of African Development Fund in 2019, which supports the core values and objectives of the association which is to empower farmers economically through improved livelihoods.
“One of the challenges farmers face is that of uncertified seed on the market.”
Khamalathu Cooperative chairperson Mercy Mleme said she was excited there was improvement in the price of selling basic seed from K500 last year to K700 this year.
On his part, Leonard Chimbali acting Machinga agribusiness officer said pigeon pea farmers have been struggling to access good seed and reliable markets, making the production of the crop unsustainable.
