Body engages farmers on new fertiliser in Karonga

Lead farmers from three extension planning areas (EPAs) of Mpata, Lupembe and Nyungwe in Karonga District have undergone orientation on a newly introduced fertiliser in the district.

Speaking on behalf of the 40 lead farmers that attended the orientation on Friday in Karonga, Chunky Mwakihana from Mpata EPA said the new type of fertliser, 23:10:05:6S+1Zn, is suitable for their area.

“We now have the type of fertiliser suitable for the soil in our area. I think we will now harvest more yields than before,” he said.

African Fertiliser and Agri-business Partnership project manager Fiskani Nyondo said they are promoting area specific fertilisers, taking into account soil nutrients deficiency to ensure there is optimal yields.

“We want to bring awareness on the new fertiliser blends to lead farmers and agro-dealers,” he said.

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Department of Lands and Resources Conservation deputy director Gilbert Kupunda said government conducted  a research that revealed that varying soil ecological zones have different soil nutrients deficiencies; hence, the introduction of new fertiliser blends.

“In 2018, government introduced site-specific fertiliser blends to increase production, depending on levels of soil nutrients,” he said. 

A consortium of the Story Workshop Trust, Alliance for Green Revolution Africa and Malawi Government are implementing Strengthening Fertiliser Systems through Promotion of Area Specific Fertiliser Blending in Malawi project and identified farmers who are being trained on how to use this fertiliser nationwide.