In a bid to boost production and meet market demands, farmers in Chiradzulu have been urged to adopt and embrace modern farming technologies.
Speaking during a field day at Lirangwe and Nyungwe Sections under Mbulumbuzi Extension Planning Area, Agri-business Officer at the district council, Charles Nyirenda, said farmers need to apply new technologies to harvest more and make profits.
Nyirenda, who is also the Focal Person for Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP), said the field day was aimed at showcasing interventions promoted by the project for other farmers to learn and emulate.
According to Nyirenda, the project is helping farmers to plant hybrid seeds, multiplying seeds, caring and storage techniques among others.
“This is our first year of implementation and we have targeted 120 farmers from Mbulumbuzi and Thumbwe EPAs. These farmers are planting cassava, orange sweet potatoes and pigeon peas. Apart from boosting quality production, we want the farmers to improve nutritional status of their households,” he said.
Emmanuel Julius Phiri, sweet potato farmer, hailed the project saying he has managed to multiply the cuttings he was given and is now cultivating on a big hectare.
Phiri added that he does not apply fertiliser and that the variety matures early, just in two months.
“In my first attempt, I made K200,000 that I used to buy electric materials for wiring my house. Now, I am expecting to realize at least K1.2 million from this year’s harvest. With this variety, you can plant even three times a year,” he said.
Pigeon peas farmer, Violet Chibwana, said although she planted late on 0.5 acre, she is hoping of a high yield because the crop matures twice.
Chibwana further urged fellow farmers to plant hybrid varieties observing they produce good quality yields that easily attract buyers.
Meanwhile, Group Village Headman Poya has vowed to sensitise more farmers on modern farming technologies to address hunger in his area.
He said it is fulfilling to learn that using locally-available resources like dry grass and sand, crops like sweet potatoes can be stored for long in a pit.
SATCP is a Malawi-Government project funded by the World Bank with several components like reduce trade costs; strengthen regional coordination and project implementation; strengthen value chains for regional integration; and strengthen transport infrastructure to improve market access.
Jointly, the components address complementary constraints that hinder trade, investment, and economic opportunities.
By Chrissie Mainjeni, Chiradzulu
