Raising Awareness: Temwa Malawi Prepares Farmers for the 2023-2024 Rainfall Season
These campaigns aim to equip farmers with essential knowledge regarding the upcoming 2023–2024 rainfall season.
NKHATA-BAY, Malawi - With the approaching rainy season, Temwa Malawi, the organization implementing the Farming Futures project in Nkhata-Bay North, has launched a series of awareness campaigns in their project catchment area, writes Susan Moyo.
These campaigns aim to equip farmers with essential knowledge regarding the upcoming 2023–2024 rainfall season.
Kondwani Botha, the Country Programs Director, spoke about the significance of these awareness campaigns at Chigwere Trading Centre, located under Traditional Authority Nyaluwanga in Nkhata-Bay district.
"We are bridging the gap that was there between duty-bearers and policyholders. We believe that if farmers know the seasonal forecast, it means they will be able to know what to do at the right time," Botha emphasized.
Amos Chimbwila, the Meteorological Officer in the district, shared crucial information about the expected weather patterns for the region.
He revealed that Nkhata-Bay North is anticipated to receive normal to above-normal rainfall amounts during the season from October 2023 to April 2024.
Chimbwila emphasized the importance of farmers making informed decisions based on this forecast.
"Farmers must make sound decisions based on the forecast so that they should not be affected negatively. Additionally, some areas around Traditional Authority Malanda will be hit by floods, so they must take caution," he cautioned.
George Mwakihana, the Agriculture Extension Officer for Chikwina Extension Planning Area, offered valuable advice to farmers on adapting to changing weather conditions.
He urged them to plant crops that mature early and are drought-resilient, taking into account predictions of dry spells in the month of February next year.
Mwakihana also encouraged the use of modern farming practices and soil conservation methods.
One of the attendees, Winni Pius from Duwe village under Senior Group Village Head Chigwere, expressed gratitude to Temwa Malawi for bringing seasonal forecast messages to farmers.
"In the past, we did not have this chance to get weather forecast messages from duty bearers, which resulted in low production. Today we are happy that Temwa Malawi has brought these messages to us so that we can prepare well for the farming season," she acknowledged.
Last month, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (MET) announced that Malawi would experience normal to below-normal rainfall during the 2023/2024 season, with the possibility of a delayed onset of rains.
The efforts by organizations like Temwa Malawi to disseminate this information to farmers are crucial in helping them adapt and make informed decisions in the face of changing climate patterns.