By Ben Bamusi

Thyolo, October 20, Mana: Thyolo District Agriculture Development Office has launched a K12.6 million intra Extension Planning Area (EPA) Agricultural Trophy for Matapwata and Dwale EPAs.

The competition is meant to boost macadamia, fish and dairy farming as well as agroforestry among smallholder farmers in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Boyd.

Speaking at the launch on Friday at Naveya Ground, Thyolo North Member of Parliament, Ephraim Nayeja, commended the initiative saying it will enhance productivity by encouraging farmers to adopt modern farming methods while embracing soil and water conservation for sustainable agriculture.

“Farmers will work in their farms competing and at the same time increasing their yield,” said Nayeja.

He urged government to introduce additional value chains and create market opportunities for farmers.

Thyolo District Chief Agriculture Officer, Mphatso Kafuwa, said the competition will reward farmers with farm inputs and technology thereby promoting agricultural innovation.

She called on stakeholders for financial support to sustain community led initiatives.

The initiative's pioneer TA Boyd explained that this begun in 2021 after observing low crop productivity due to poor farming methods and limited land.

“Since then, farmers have experienced improved yields and attained greater food security,” said Boyd.

Model farmer in banana, fish, and dairy farming, Charles Buledi, shared how farming has transformed his life, earning him about K400,000 per month from dairy farming thereby improving household income.

He encouraged other farmers to take farming as a business for improved livelihood profits.