Agriculture body engages farmers
The Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (Mafaas) has organised a workshop with farmers to share best practices concerning farming, extension and agricultural advisory services in the country.
The 2019 National Farming and Extension workshop, under the theme Acting on Farmers’ Voices for Agricultural Transformation, will enable farmers to forge links with various stakeholders in agriculture.
Speaking on Wednesday during the official opening of the workshop, director of human resources in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Martha Mtenje said they want to enable farmers and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector to share experiences and lessons.
“Farmers and other stakeholders will work together in various areas such as networking, discuss critical issues and develop an action plan to address issues such as access to land, markets, finance, extension, research and value addition,” she said.
On her part, Nasfam chief executive officer Betty Chinyamunyamu said inadequate coordination challenges have reduced positive impacts on agricultural yields and production.
She said: “Inadequate coordination challenges among providers of agricultural advisory services have resulted in conflicting messages being passed on to farming communities as well as duplication of some services.”
Mafaas is an umbrella organisation of agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) providers, actors and stakeholders in Malawi. It is also a member of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services. The workshop has brought together farmers, farmer organisations, government departments, civil society organisations, donor agencies and agricultural training institutions, among others.
