LUANAR Launches Digital Tool to Boost Malawi Crop Yields
The five-year MADIPHS initiative is funded by Norah and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture.
DEDZA, Malawi — Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) has introduced a digital agricultural technology aimed at helping Malawian farmers combat pests and diseases that contribute to low crop yields, writes Edward Chikwanda.
The "Malawi Digital Plant Health Services" (MADIPHS) project will provide real-time crop monitoring and personalised guidance to over 2,000 farmers across seven districts, according to LUANAR official Chikondi Makwiza.
"The coming of this project will help farmers in detecting how pests are affecting the crops and the measures on how to deal with the diseases," Makwiza told Africa Brief.
Dedza's chief agricultural officer, Matilda Mtambo, praised the new technology, saying it will allow extension workers and farmers to collaborate more effectively in addressing climate change-driven crop diseases.
"This technology will help in monitoring how crops are prevailing in different fields within the district, and farmers will be able to measure how to deal with pests and diseases," Mtambo said.
The five-year MADIPHS initiative is funded by Norah and implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture.
It aims to leverage digital tools to boost agricultural productivity in a country where pests and diseases are estimated to cause up to 30% in crop losses.
