Farmers benefit from new technologies

At least 24 000 farming households have benefited from the Sustainable Agriculture Lead Farmer Project which Find Your Feet (FYF) is implementing in Mzimba and Nkhata Bay districts.

Speaking during a field day on Saturday at Choma in the outskirts of Mzuzu City, Zombwe agriculture extension development officer Ellah Wadi said the project has helped change farmers’ lives.

“The project has trained extension workers and farmers on climate smart agriculture technologies. And because of the training, the uptake of these technologies is very high,” she said.

Wadi said since the project was introduced, communities have shifted from charcoal making to agriculture.

“Previously, people here depended on charcoal making, but now they have embraced agriculture for their livelihood,” she said.

Thomson Mwale, who grows tomato, said farming has helped him build a house and buy household furniture.

FYF programme manager Melina Mtonga said the project seeks to reduce poverty and vulnerability to climate change for communities in the two districts.

“Previously, most communities were food insecure, but now families are food secure. They are able to produce and consume throughout the year as opposed to previous years,” she said.

Some of the climate smart agriculture technologies being practised include pit planting, zero tillage and marker ridges. n