Rice farmers in Traditional Authority Maganga in Salima District have embraced new farming technologies to boost production of the crop.
Africa Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) and We Effect are promoting the technologies under the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to increase yield through planting a seedling per station.
Speaking on Tuesday during a field visit, a farmer Atupele Matewere said she used to harvest little rice when using traditional methods.
She said: “However, we have benefitted much from the method. Last year, I realised 35 unshelled bags of rice.
“I expect to harvest more this year because I have increased from one to two acres.”
Another farmer Judith Mwangomba from Mikuti II Village said her life has transformed after embracing new farming technologies.
“I tried it last year and to my surprise, I harvested enough to sell to support my family,” she said.
On her part, AICC programmes manager Rejoice Jenda said they are targeting 2 000 women and youths in the rice sub-sector.
“We want to address key equitable and sustainable food systems in Salima and to develop a partnership and collaboration with other district stakeholders,” she said.
We Effect project coordinator Mwabi Sichinga said he was impressed with how farmers are doing on the ground.
“We are committed to supporting rice farmers because it is part of food security,” he said.
The two organisations also donated a rice miller to Senga Bay Rice Cooperative and three water pumps to Nkongomwa Rice Cooperative.
The donations were worth K16 million.
With funding from We Effect, AICC is implementing Resilient and Sustainable Livelihood Transformation Project in Salima working with women and youths on SRI
