Winter cropping excites Cyclone Freddy survivors

Smallholder farmers who were affected by Cyclone Freddy in the area of Senior Chief Liwonde in Machinga say they are optimistic they will have a good harvest from the irrigation farming they have been doing.

An initiative which is being implemented by the founder and leader of Living Word Evangelical Church, Prophet David Mbewe supported farmers through the provision of agricultural input and capacity building on the growing of diversified and improved short cycle varieties of crops, in order to make households that were affected recover from effects of the Cyclone Freddy.

According to one of the farmers, Basikolo Phiri from group village headman Ngongondo in the district,  the initiative has helped to improve the quality of life for vulnerable households and promote food security at both household and community levels.

He said: “We were also supported with technological farming inputs such as Treadal pumps, Solar panels, sprayers and hybrid seeds to start winter cropping for increased crop production for consumption and commercial purposes.”

Group village headman Mangamba hailed Mbewe for the gesture saying his area has been hit by hunger adding people in the area are purchasing a 50kg bag of maize at K45000

Prophet David Mbewe urged the government and different stakeholders to invest more in irrigation farming arguing that the country has the potential to produce crops throughout the year.

“Government must remember that it is their responsibility to support farmers,” Mbewe said.