Farmers challenged on technology use
By Harris Kulemeka:
Farmers in the country have been urged to adopt new technological methods for increased output and enhance the sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Centre for Agriculture Transformation (CAT) Executive Director Macleod Nkhoma made the call on Tuesday during a farmer field day at Natural Resources College Smart Farm in Lilongwe.
Nkhoma said farmers need to use farming methods that would help improve soil condition to maximise productivity.
“We discovered, on our first production attempt on this demonstration farm, that the soil was extremely poor and totally degraded. To date, we have done soil amendments, using soil scientists, which has led to improvement in the yield as well,’’ Nkhoma said.
Lilongwe Agricultural Development Division Programmes Manager Shira Kang’ombe rated the initiative by CAT in promoting improved soil fertility and crop production as ideal.
“We have seen that CAT is promoting production of a lot of crops here including bananas, groundnuts and soya.
“It is necessary to bring farmers together so that they can acquire some skills that can improve their crop production,’’ Kang’ombe said.
Foundation for Smoke Free World Agricultural Transformation Initiative Vice president Candida Nakhumwa said productivity and commercialisation go along with integration of technology and innovation in the agriculture sector.
She said they have started experiencing improved productivity for the crops grown.
CAT is a Project by Land ‘o Lakes that is designed to transform Malawi agricultural system and lives of small holder farmers through agriculture innovations and commercialization.
