Malawian Farmers Urged to Embrace Climate-Smart Technology for Resilience
The Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi urges farmers to adopt climate-smart technology to combat climate change's impact on agriculture.
LILONGWE, Malawi— In response to the growing threat of climate change, the Ministry of Agriculture in Malawi has issued a call to farmers, urging them to adopt climate-smart integrated technology as a crucial step in mitigating the impact of climate change on agriculture in the country, writes Bridgette Mwanoka.
Speaking at a meeting organized by the Development-Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture (DeSIRA) project, David Kamangira, Senior Deputy Director in the Department of Research Services within the Ministry of Agriculture, emphasized the importance of innovative solutions in tackling the challenges posed by climate change.
"The research conducted through the DeSIRA project has underscored the significance of effective innovations to combat climate change effects," Kamangira stated during his address.
"It's high time farmers start adopting climate-smart integrated technologies to ensure that the country manages the climate shocks, as it is having climate change issues such as drought and floods."
The DeSIRA project, dedicated to enhancing productivity, profitability, and sustainability in Malawi's agriculture and food systems, has been applauded for its efforts by Kamangira.
He commended the project's commitment to improving the country's resilience in the face of climate-related challenges.
Gbenga Akinwale, the DeSIRA Project Manager, outlined vital steps towards achieving the project's goal.
Akinwale stressed the need to combine existing component technologies into integrated solutions, such as resilient crop varieties with improved soil management techniques and innovative pest and disease management approaches.
"It is also important to consider technology options that are already available in the country but need modification through farmer participation to enhance adoption, as well as technological innovations that have proven effective in other countries but require validation in Malawi," Akinwale noted.
The DeSIRA Project, launched on July 22, 2020, is a research-oriented initiative aimed at developing climate-smart technologies to revolutionise agriculture in Malawi. Its overarching goal is to increase farmer productivity, profitability, and the sustainability of the agro-food system.
The project is scheduled to run until December 2024 and targets districts including Mzimba, Chitipa, Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Nkhotakota, Kasungu, Salima, Mulanje, Thyolo, and Chiradzulu.
Farmers in these districts are encouraged to embrace the adoption of climate-smart integrated technology as a vital measure in building resilience against the adverse effects of climate change, such as droughts and floods, which have become increasingly prevalent in Malawi.