FOL pledges support for Dowa farmers after harvest drop

Farmers Organisation Limited (FOL) has offered support for farmers in Dowa by ensuring continued supply of farm inputs as they push to recover from a drop in harvests during this year.

The pledge comes after the district’s agriculture authorities disclosed that crop estimates showed an 18 percent drop this year as compared to last year’s growing season.

FOL Retail Sales and Marketing Manager Hannock Madeira said the farmers will likely engage in irrigation farming to make up for the shortfalls in the harvests.

He therefore said his organisation will ensure continued distribution of farm inputs which include chemicals and maize seeds.

He was speaking during a field day held in Nachisaka Extension Planning Area in Dowa.

“We will be here giving the farmers whatever support they need. We sell products some of which are specifically for irrigation farming. We will do everything to ensure that hunger does not strike here,” he said.

Dowa District Agriculture Development Officer Aaron Kachimera attributed the drop in harvests to fall armyworms and dry spells that hit the district.

“Maize and groundnuts are some of the key crops that have been affected. Currently, we are encouraging farmers to engage in irrigation farming to supplement on their harvests,” he said.