Minister of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Owen Chomanika, has commended the Agricultural Resilience through Climate Services (ARCS) programme as it is crucial in promoting sustainable agricultural production.
Chomanika made the remarks during the launch of ARCS programme which aims to empower smallholder farmers to achieve sustainable agricultural production through provision of accurate, reliable and timely Climate Information Services (CIS), which is expected to guide farmers to make informed decisions in farming.
He said access to climate and weather information is important for farmers to make informed decision in their agricultural activities to avoid incurring losses caused by weather mishaps.
President of Farmers Union of Malawi, Maness Nkhata, disclosed that many farmers lack access to climate and weather information, which affects their agricultural productivity.
Nkhata said the programme will see that small holder farmers are benefiting from farming.
Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, Ingrid Marie Mikelsen, said their government is committed to promoting agriculture production and fighting climate change effects in the country as it is crucial in promoting economic development.
The Norwegian government has pumped-in over K10 billion into the ARCS programme with its pilot phase benefiting over 22,000 smallholder farmers in the country.
By Gracious Banda
