LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s agriculture innovative think-tank Centre for Agricultural Transformation (CAT) has emphasized the need for corroborated efforts in ending chronic hunger crisis in Malawi.
CAT Executive Director Macleod Nkhoma observes that despite numerous innovation his institution advances, there is huge gap to reach many farmers for adoption.
Nkhoma stated that if efforts from all agriculture players are put together, Malawi could not be in food crisis.
He added that Malawi can only achieve food security if farmers can easily adopt climate-resilient crops and practice crop diversification
Nkhoma was speaking during a field day held at CAT’s Smart Yield at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Natural Resources College (NRC) campus.
“The rate at which agriculture innovations, technologies are being adopted needs corroborated efforts from all stakeholders in agriculture sector.
“CAT is doing its part. If all players join us, expect Malawi to be a food backet again as these technologies boost productivity in small pieces of land”, observes Nkhoma.
Vice President and Country Director of Global Action to End Smoking, Dr. Candida Nakhumwa expressed satisfaction over CAT efforts.
Nakhumwa adds, “For Malawi to achieve economic transformation through agriculture, there is a need to empower farmers with proper infrastructure, technologies, and innovations”.
One of the farmers attending the field Day, Gladys Kamchacha from Mpingu EPA in Lilongwe rural lauded the demonstrations saying have seen improved harvests since they started using smart agriculture techniques.
Ministry of Agriculture’s Deputy Director in the department of crop development responsible for field crops Osborne Tsoka is however optimistic that the country’s food crisis will be reduced through adoption of numerous agricultural innovations that maximise production amid effects of climate change.
“When you look at the way CAT is performing, and alongside means of aggregate, it’s actually there is there’s, there’s that synergism that is there. And the when we do this, we are, we should be able to to produce maize, which, if you look at maybe the national government, which normally is around the 2.9 million metric tons per year.
“But if we keep on improving the way we are doing here at CAT smart farm we should be able to get a lot of surplus maybe we’ll be reaching around the 5 million, make a dance. The hectare, when we actually hesitate the acknowledges that are actually being advocated here”, optimistic Tsoka.
The farmer’s field day, supported by GA-ATI, was attended by various seed companies and farmers under the theme, “Climate-Resilient Agricultural Technology and Crop Diversification for Sustained Household Food Security”.
About 800 farmers benefited from this year’s field day.