Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MoAIWD) says free and meaningful Citizen Participation is crucial in conserving and preservation of Soil degradation in Malawi.
Chief Director for (MoAIWD) Bright Kumwembe made the remarks when he officially opens the Concept for the Commemoration of the International Year of Soils fair under the theme ‘Healthy Soils for Health Life’ aimed at attaining healthy soils in order to increase national food production on Friday in Lilongwe.
“The objectives of the soil fair among others are; to raise awareness among Civil society actors, general public and decision makers of the central role of soils resources, their role for food security, agro-industry development, climate change adaptation and mitigation” highlighted Kumwembe.
He also emphasized that Malawi cannot achieve her social and economic dreams when citizens do not fully participate in conserving soils, to improve development activities of the country. Therefore, he urged communities and all stakeholders (but not limited to, Government Departments or agencies, Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs), Schools, Private Sectors, the Academia and Faith Based Organizations) involved in the promotion of soil management campaign to actively manage the soil.
Chairman of the Malawi 2015 Soil fair, LUANAR Venon Kabambe expressed optimism that the meeting will ensure farmers in the country achieve increased agricultural productivity, food security and reduction of poverty, if farmers have access to more soil information at all levels.
He also urged stakeholders and local farmers to utilize weather reports and foster for climate information, prediction products and services, early warning and related applications as a contribution to more productivity. Farming in Malawi is main stay of economy; therefore, decentralizing powers to farmer increase demand for cheap labour since farmer have ownership of the land hence reducing risk of land degradation.
Malawi to achieve productivity through soil management must standardize the policies that infringe on farmers rights. For instance, government should invest and prioritize more on Farm Input Subsidy Program (Fisp), since local farmers cannot afford to buy seedling every growing season.
