By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, March 23, Mana: Tiyeni, a local based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) aimed at promoting sustainable farming in the country, has challenged farmers in Lilongwe district to start embracing new agricultural technologies in order for them to have bumper yield.

Tiyeni Country Director, Isaac Chavula made the call on Friday at Mkoma primary school ground in the area of Traditional Authority Chimutu in Kalulu Extension Planning Area (EPA) during deep bed farming method field day.

“Times have changed because of climate change and farmers now should start cultivating in a different way. So by bringing in deep bed farming method, we want farmers to start managing soil and water because deep bed farming harvest rain water and controls erosion,” said Chavula.

Chavula then said it is interesting and encouraging that many farmers in the district have started using and appreciating the new agricultural technologies in their farms because they have realized that using deep bed farming is not just mere farming, but also a business.

“We have seen farmers using this kind of farming, getting eight tonnes per hectare, this is the way to go. We have also seen other crops such as groundnuts, tobacco and soya doing well using deep bed farming,” he said.

Deputy Director under Land Resources Conservation Department in the Ministry of Agriculture, Gilbert Mponda thanked Tiyeni for the initiative saying the new farming technologies will assist farmers to respond positively to climate change.

Mponda said it is encouraging that the farming technologies that Tiyeni has brought are really bringing positive results to farmers and very soon the ministry will roll out to other districts country wide.

Speaking on behalf of other farmers who have benefited with the initiative, Cosmas Mwale, said if many farmers can embrace this kind of farming country wide, Malawi will be a food basket nation.

“We have been working hard in our fields for a long time, but we couldn’t find any benefit, then since Tiyeni taught us this new method we are able to have enough food for our families and sell the surplus.

“Just imagine on an area of 0.8 hactares, I am expecting to harvest 140 bags of 50kgs of maize using this method of deep bed farming and manure utilization, I challenge you, I cannot be poor,” he said.