Support winter cropping,pleads Karonga DC
Karonga district commissioner (DC) Rodrick Mateauma has appealed to well-wishers to support families affected dry spell in the district with cassava cuttings and sweet potato vines for winter cropping.
In an interview, he said the district’s disaster and risk management office has finalised the distribution of relief maize to 38 605 farming households that were affected by the dry spell.
Mateauma said supporting affected communities with seeds for winter cropping will avert the looming hunger in the district.
Mtumbuka hands over potato vines to a beneficiary
“It is important for well-wishers to quickly assist the affected households with cassava cuttings and sweet potato vines as an alternative to grow during the winter season,” he said.
Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa said some organisations have started responding to the call.
However, he said more support for seeds is needed.
“Families with enough seeds should share with their friends,” said Kyungu.
Karonga district director of agriculture, environment and natural resources Rafael Mkisi said the district has planted 17 455 hectares (ha) of cassava and 4 277ha sweet potato.
Last month, President Lazarus Chakwera visited affected areas in Karonga where he noted that apart from rice, there was little or no hope for maize, tobacco and groundnuts.
The dry spell affected 8 742ha of maize, resulting in loss of 16 040 metric tonnes (MT).
It also affected 8 887 rice farming households.
Two weeks ago, Bishop Martin Mtumbuka of Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church led the initiative to distribute potato vines to the people
