Farming technologies mitigate drought in Rumphi

The CCAP Synod of Livingstonia Development Department (Soldev) says more farmers in Rumphi are adopting the climate-smart agriculture technique of conservation agriculture, but some resistance remains in the district.

Speaking during a field day on Saturday, Soldev project coordinator Richard Sulu said the organisation has covered 480 hectares with conservation agriculture technology out of the targeted 600 hectares.

“The adoption rate which is about 80 percent is commendable. Farmers have been able to expand hectarage under conservation agriculture and we are happy that some are still having food from the previous season,” he said.

However, Sulu said despite farmers harvesting plenty even in times of droughts, some farmers are still resisting the new technologies due to laziness.

One of the beneficiaries, Piston Mhango, said the new farming technology has helped his family harvest plenty amid droughts.

Rumphi District Council senior assistant land resource conservation officer Boyd Msowoya said the interventions are important for the district which is struggling with the effects of climate change.

Soldev has been implementing a three-year Conservation Agriculture and Livelihood Project targetting 700 households  with new technologies to mitigate the effects of climate change.

The project phases out in June this year. n