Cotton farmers in Salima District have expressed optimism with a project that has empowered them with skills in modern farming practices to counter climate change shocks and other challenges.
Under African Institute for Corporate Citizenship’s Women Economic Empowerment in the Cotton Value Chain Project, farmers in traditional authorities (T/As) Ndindi and Kalonga get improved seeds, acquired sustainable agriculture land management skills and have access to better markets.
In an interview on Wednesday, Joccy Kambwiri, a farmer from Chikumba Village, T/A Kalonga, said tobacco farming has transformed her life.
She said: “I had no hope before the project rolled out in our area. It was after I acquired the skills and the support that I ventured into cotton production.
“I realised K2.3 million from cotton sales last year and I have raked in K1.3 million this year.”
Kambwiri said the project has given them the confidence to work as a family.
On his part, Anock Chilalo, a farmer from Nachidze Village, T/A Kalonga said he bought goats after making money from cotton sales to diversify his economic activities.
Another farmer, Enifa Mpeyama, from Kaphinda Village in T/A Ndindi, said she has constructed a decent house using proceeds from cotton sales.
“When my husband died, life became difficult. However, the project empowered me economically. I now pay school fees for my children and buy household necessities,” she said.
African Institute for Corporate Citizenship project officer Davlin Juma in an interview said the project seeks to boost the cotton processing industry through increased production, advocate for women’s leadership in the sector and promote farmers’ economic independence.
African Institute for Corporate Citizenship is implementing the project with support from the Swedish Embassy through We Effect.
