By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, March 24, Mana: Mzuzu Agriculture Development Division (ADD) has urged farmers in Rumphi district to priorities crop diversification in order to promote food security and improve nutrition among farming households in the district.

The division's Deputy Program Manager, Anderson Chikomola, disclosed this Friday on the sidelines of an agriculture field day which the division, together with Rumphi District Agriculture Extension Coordinating Committee (DAECC), held at Kawaza Primary School ground in Bolero Extension Planning Area (EPA).

Chikomola said crop diversification will help farmers adapt to adverse effects of climate change that has made the country experience some rainfall breaks and cyclones that have affected the agriculture sector.

“Farmers should be able to cultivate different crops which will help them have balanced diet. This is crucial because they will rely on other crops when others fail and will be able to be resilient and make farming a business,” he said.

Chairperson for Rumphi District Council, Councillor Harry Mnyenyembe, said agriculture field days are important because they help in making crop estimates and help farmers draw important lessons on agriculture production.

One of the farmers, Florence Nkhonjera, who grows banana and rears pigs encouraged fellow women to be economically independent and not solely rely on their husbands.

“It is important for women to engage in farming because we are mothers and we have huge responsibilities of keeping our families. We, therefore, don’t need to solely depend on our husbands who also have other responsibilities,” he said.

This year’s agricultural field day was commemorated under the theme ‘Building rural communities resilience through agricultural diversification and Agri business development.’