Agro-ecology association set
Consortium of non-governmental organisations has launched an association aimed at promoting agro-ecological practices and addressing low crop yield and food insecurity in the country.
Dubbed Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (Pelum) Association in Malawi, the grouping comprises the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom), Centre for Agricultural Research and Development (Card), Coalition of Women Farmers in Malawi (Cowfa) and Trocaire.
Pelum Interim Chairperson, Peter Nthenda, said major objective of association is to improve livelihoods of marginalised people in Malawi.
It is targeting to work with smallholder farmers through promotion of various agro-ecological practices that will result in increased crop yields while maintaining nature.
“These goals will be achieved through various means. One of them is advocacy,” Nthenda said.
He said the association is particularly concerned that smallholder farmers in the country continue to grapple with the ever-increasing cost of agricultural inputs and low yields.
“After a thorough analysis, we realised that we have overused the natural resources. This is the right time for us to start ploughing back to the environment by practicing agro-ecological practices that respect nature,” he said.
