By Margret Kalua

Nkhata Bay, May 22, Mana: Zambian High Commissioner to Malawi, retired Lieutenant Colonel Panji Kaunda, has urged farmers in the country to enhance crop diversification for improved food security and nutrition.

Kaunda made the remarks Wednesday when he toured Limphasa Irrigation Scheme, Mkondezi Rice Producers and Marketing Cooperative in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri in Nkhata Bay.

He said Malawi has abundant water resources and good soils which, if efficiently utilized, can produce assorted high quality crops enough for both local consumption and export.

"Farmers should consider cultivating different types of crops as this is essential in mitigating adverse effects of climate change such as droughts which have recently affected Malawi and Zambia," he said.

Kaunda said he was inspired by rice production through irrigation in Malawi as observed at Limphasa and Linga Irrigation Schemes.

He, therefore, urged Malawi Government to promote mechanized farming technologies, improve and strengthen market systems and linkages for increased agricultural production.

Senior Irrigation Engineer for Nkhata Bay District Council, Edward Mjiku, said the district has the potential to irrigate up to 16,000 hectares of land which, if efficiently used, can contribute to growth of country's economy.

One of the farmers, who is affiliated to the cooperative, Joseph Nyirongo, commended the Zambian High Commissioner for visiting the cooperative saying it has motivated farmers to be utilizing available resources to the maximum to attain increased agricultural production.

Limphasa Irrigation Scheme is a river diversion-gravity system which uses open canals to carter for about 669 hectors of land.