Posted on July, 23, 2019 at 11:19 am
Written by Mary Makhiringa
Farmers in Balaka have been urged to embrace the use of manure and fodder to boost their agricultural production in a bid to realize bumper harvest in light of effects of climate change.
Balaka District Council chairperson, Stevie Sauka gave the encouragement on Friday at Liwonde Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority Sawali during the launch of this year’s (2019/2020) manure, irrigation and fodder preservation.
Sauka emphasized the need for farmers to consider manure production as a remedy to soil degradation.
“Balaka is one of the districts which have serious food shortages almost every year; therefore, if we embrace manure, irrigation and fodder preservation, I am sure that we will not be the same,” Sauka said.
“We have visited many sites which include manure making, irrigation, fodder preservation sites and we have seen and heard testimonies from the farmers themselves, I am so sure that if many farmers can adopt such practices, our agricultural productivity can improve,” he added.
However, Sauka advised farmers to avoid cultivating along river banks.
“We should not cultivate our crops so close to rivers because when the rivers break their banks, our crops will be washed away,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Principal Nutrition HIV and AIDS Officer for Balaka District Council, Ernest Kadzokoya who represented the District Commissioner, concurred with Sauka on the need for farmers to use manure.
District Agricultural Extension Coordinating Committee DAECC Chairperson Rex Namalima urged all to continue with the manure making launch in their respective areas.
“This is just a district launch, we need to continue this at the village level so that all farmers are aware of this initiative,” Kadzokoya said.
During the launch, three area stakeholders panels (ASP) namely; Nsamala, Nkaya and Amidu were awarded for their outstanding performance during the 2018 season.
The launch was held under the theme: ‘Restored environment, key to sustained food security and income.’
Source: Malawi News Agency (MANA Online)