Mchinji farmers warned against selling maize

Kasungu Agriculture Development Division (ADD) has warned farmers in Mchinji against selling their maize after harvest.

The division’s deputy programme manager Yusufu Shaibu made the call during an agriculture field day held on Monday at Katonda Primary School in Traditional Authority Dambe in the district.

He advised the farmers to keep enough maize for food ahead of the opening of produce markets in the country.

Said Shaibu: “The district is likely going to have a bumper maize harvest this year.

“I, therefore, urge farmers not to sell more maize to be food-secure.”

He advised the farmers to rely on other cash crops such as soya beans for income.

On his part, Traditional Authority Dambe asked traditional leaders in his area to ensure that they block unregistered crop produce businesses in their villages. 

The chief thanked government for implementing the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), which helped many people access fertiliser and seeds at subsidised prices.

One of the farmers, Sailota Jabson of Chiphesi Village in the area, said he was pleased with the prospect of a bumper harvest.

“I owe this to two bags of fertiliser I bought under AIP and an extra bag which I bought at a commercial price,” he said.

This year’s Mchinji Agriculture Field Day was held under the theme Sustainable Land Resource Management and Adoption of Modern Harmonised Technologies, Key to Food, Nutrition and Income Security.

In the 2020/21 growing season, over 157 000 people have benefited from AIP in the district.