By Willy Kadewere

Chikwawa, July 5, Mana: Chikwawa has been named as one of the districts in Malawi which has been highly affected by effects of dry spells due to El Nino weather patterns.

This was disclosed Thursday during an agriculture field day at Group Village Head Chinjala in Traditional Authority (TA) Chapananga in the district.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Chikwawa Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Jackson Mvula, said over 60 percent of cereal farmers have been affected, representing over 60 percent of households affected by hunger in the district.

Mvula disclosed some of the interventions the district is undertaking to mitigate effects of dry spells.

He said agriculture extension workers are encouraging farmers to practice irrigation and integrated farming.

“With irrigation, farmers are able to grow crops in winter and have bumper harvest and through integrated farming farmers also harvest much because there is interdependence of crops,” said Mvula.

Chikwawa District Council Chairperson, Wyson Bush, commended farmers who are practicing irrigation farming, saying it is the only effective way to avert hunger.

“We can keep hunger away from our homes only if we desist from laziness. Let's be productive by emulating the life of others who are already doing well with farming,” said Bush.

Bush, therefore, urged different development partners to help farmers with resources as one way of empowerment.

One of the lead farmers from Chandile Village, Mary Kambeya, commended government and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for rendering continued support to farmers with resources and extension services.

Kambeya, who is now able to provide for her family from irrigation proceeds, said farmers are able to produce more because of the support from NGOs.

Apart from irrigation and integrated farming, Chikwawa District Council is also encouraging farmers to construct check dams, practice livestock farming, backyard gardens and tree planting.