By Pilirani Mazizi
The National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM) has donated maize seed, and fertilizer to farmers whose crops were washed away by Cyclone Freddy in Mangochi, Zomba, Chiradzulu, Mulanje, Machinga, Balaka and Phalombe districts.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Zomba, NASFAM Farm Services Officer, Fannie Tasila Muwa said NASFAM has targeted over 600 beneficiaries who were heavily affected by Cyclone Freddy in the seven districts.
“We have decided to support our members with farm inputs for irrigation farming to avert hunger crisis in their families due to the crop loss they experienced. We expect each beneficiary to use the 20 kilograms of fertiliser received to make 100 kilograms of Mbeya fertilizer which they will then use in their gardens,” said Muwa.
She further said NASFAM has not only provided farm inputs but also trained them on how they can make Mbeya fertilizer which helps to replenish the degraded soils, improve soil structure, moisture retention, and improves productivity, among other things.
Muwa urged farmers to follow recommended farming technologies including climate-smart agriculture for them to be resilient to effects of climate change.
One of the beneficiaries, Mary Muhuwa, from M'Meya village in the area of traditional authority Chikowi in Zomba district has applauded NASFAM for the gesture saying it will help them to be food secure.
Due to Cyclone Freddy, Mahuwa lost her crops and her house.
Mahuwa narrated that before the cyclone, she was expecting to harvest 30bags of maize, and 22 bags of soya weighing 50kgs. Instead the yield was reduced to three bags of maize and one bag of soya, which is not enough for her family.
"What NASFAM has done will help to sustain our livelihoods because they have not only given us inputs but also skills on Mbeya manure making,” Mahuwa said.
Mahuwa has therefore encouraged fellow farmers to follow recommended farming practices which includes use of organic manure, and mulching to improve soil fertility and water retention.