Farmers Trained on Modern Methods to Boost Production
Lead farmer Rosemary Chipala said old farming methods with climate change are no longer ideal.
LILONGWE, Malawi - Amid low production and productivity triggered by climate change outweighing old farming methods, the Centre for Agricultural Transformation (CAT) has trained farmers on improved farming techniques to maximize production, writes Johans Mumba.
CAT intends to reach over 15,000 farmers in six central districts including Kasungu, Dowa, Mchinji, Lilongwe, Salima and Nkhotakota.
"There is need to help government in preparing farmers to adopt new farming technologies for increased production and productivity," said Dr. Geoffrey Kananji, CAT's director of science, technology and innovation.
Kananji said the training aims to mobilize farmers to adopt modern agricultural technologies to increase productivity.
"Our aim is to ensure the country maximizes exports and farm proceeds to ignite competitiveness at the international market, and the only way to achieve that is by engaging farmers to use proper farming management hence the trainings," said Kananji.
Chikondi Khonje, managing director for Going Green and CAT partner, says their role is to provide farmers with improved seeds and a market for their harvests.
"With funding from CAT we train farmers to embrace modern farming methods," said Khonje.
Khonje said in the spirit of women and youth empowerment and inclusion, they work with 3,500 smallholder farmers who are youth and women by providing necessary expertise.
Dowa Ngala MP Arthur Sungitsa hailed the gesture as addressing the knowledge gap on modern farming methods. Sungitsa said the trainings will help his constituents become financially independent.
Lead farmer Rosemary Chipala said old farming methods with climate change are no longer ideal.
"The farming knowledge I’ve gained has been an eye opener. Now I understand what it means to take farming as business," Chipala said.
The Foundation for a Smoke Free World provides financial support through the Agricultural Transformation Initiative.
The opening ceremony took place Dec. 6 at Madzo Cooperative in Dowa district.