By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, September 9, Mana: Lilongwe District Council says there is need to rehabilitate houses for Field Agriculture Assistants in all Extension Planning Area (EPAs) across the district in order to improve agricultural services.

Chairperson for Agriculture Service Committee, Councilor Matias Kamvala made the call on Monday during a full council meeting saying many of the Agriculture Field Assistants operate far from their working areas due to lack of proper accommodation.

“This country depends much on agriculture, but what we have seen is that there is no proper communication between the farmers and Agriculture Field Assistants in terms of guidance in their fields, which is bad,” he said.

He noted that many farmers are not aware of the modern farming practices because they are not taught by the Field Assistants, hence contributing to poor harvest.

Commenting on the matter, Senior Chief Kalumbu said apart from rehabilitating Field Assistant's houses, there is also a need to revamp dip tanks that were used for treating livestock from different diseases and parasites.

“This country used to have healthy cattle in the past because it was treated instantly whenever a certain outbreak like Newcastle affects the livestock,” he said.

Speaking in a separate interview, Lilongwe District Director of Agriculture Services Ezara Mbendera said the issue of housing for the Field Assistants is a big challenge to the agriculture sector as the houses in the rural areas are in a dilapidated state.

“I am so happy that this issue is coming out from councilors, traditional leaders and Members of Parliament because these are the owners of the development.

“So that means whenever we have a funding window where we can tap resources for the rehabilitation of houses they should be able to support agriculture-related projects such as rehabilitation of Field Assistants,” he said.

On the rehabilitation of dip tanks, Mbendera said dip tanks have the potential to improve livestock production in the district and the entire country saying currently, Assistant Veterinary Officers just move around to treat livestock either through spraying or other means.