Programme increases agri-tech in Lilongwe
Small-scale farmers in Lilongwe have increased their uptake of conservation agriculture technologies which are advocated through Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme (Sapp) which is being implemented in the district.
Lilongwe Agriculture Development Division (Ladd) land resource officer for Lilongwe East, Edson Chagunda, said in an interview there is tremendous improvement in the way farmers are embracing the technologies being brought to them through the programme.
with maize stalks
Said Chagunda: “Roughly, we could be talking about 40 percent of uptake of these technologies by farmers in this area. This is very encouraging because it means we are making positive strides in influencing farmers to adopt the technologies for their many benefits.”
The technologies include mulching to reduce weeds’ growth in the field while maintaining soil moisture, pit planting to optimise use of minimal soil moisture and fertilisers which reduces labour costs on the farm.
Elita Robert, a small-scale farmer in Mthyoka Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimutu in Lilongwe, said she has benefited greatly from modern farming technologies since she started applying them in her field.
Sapp is a nine-year programme implemented in six districts by International Fund for Agriculture Development (Ifad) and Malawi government to the tune of $51.1 million (about K37.3 billion). n
