Maravi

Agricultural officer lauds Solwezi farmers
By Alice Nyirenda in Solwezi
Thu 25 Apr. 2013, 14:00 CAT

SOLWEZI district senior agricultural officer Francis Mwansa has advised farmers to adopt the use of conservation farming methods for them to achieve high yields.

During a field day held in Solwezi recently, Mwanza said farmers should adopt conservation farming because it reduces on labour and time spent in the field adding that soil fertility was sustained for many years.

He added that conservation farming lessens the negative effects of climate change towards farming practices.

However, Mwansa said he was gratified that a substantial number of farmers in Solwezi had diversified by growing different crops to improve their nutritional status, income and household food security.

The field day was held under the theme, 'Adopting Improved Methods of Crop Production to Improve Yields.'

Meanwhile, North Western Province SeedCo regional sales manager Samuel Muyauka said his company was committed to partnering with government to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in rural areas.

Muyauka disclosed that SeedCo had ventured into producing a variety of seeds in response to government's policy of promoting crop diversification.

He added that SeedCo was improving the wellbeing of rural small-scale farmers by providing easy access to high-yielding certified seeds.

Muyauka called on farmers to take farming as a serious business and as the only option for them to escape from poverty and dependence on handouts.

Headman Ackson Sompa thanked the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for spearheading field days because they created a platform for exchange of ideas and transfer of information and knowledge from agricultural technocrats to farmers.

He also appealed to all private input suppliers and marketing organisations in the agricultural sector to emulate companies that had shown keen interest in farmers' welfare by supporting and attending field days and agricultural shows.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, FRANCIS MWANSA

posted by MrK @ 6:37 PM