By Salome Gangire

Neno, August 15, Mana; Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has disbursed cash amounting to K41,449,600 to 400 farmers in the area of Traditional Authorities Chekucheku and Dambe in Neno to improve agricultural productivity.

Speaking during the disbursement ceremony held at the district council offices on Monday, FAO Programme Officer Aubrey Sidik said the funds will help beneficiary households to improve their agricultural productivity through adoption of climate smart agricultural practices such as manure making and application to their crop fields and conservation agriculture.

Each beneficiary household is receiving about K103,700 to help them prepare for the coming farming season by procuring farm inputs.

“They need to start preparing for the coming season now and the cash will support them in the preparatory processes for the coming growing season,” Sidik said.

He, therefore, encouraged the farmers to invest the cash into productive streams such as making of Mbeya fertilizer and accessing improved seeds.

District Commissioner for Neno, Hudson Kuphanga encouraged farmers to use the money for the intended purpose so that they realise bumper yields.

“Utilise the money for the intended purpose of buying farm inputs in order to change your livelihoods for the better,” Kuphanga said.

He, therefore, thanked FAO for the cash disbursement saying it will enable farmers in the district purchase farm inputs in good time in preparation for the growing season thereby enabling them achieve food security.

One of the beneficiaries from Mpakati Village in the area of Traditional Authority Chekucheku, John Henderson said the funds will help him prepare well for the 2023-2024 growing season.

He said the money will enable him buy seeds and fertilizer in time before the rainy season.

FAO is implementing a project of promoting coherence between disaster risk reduction climate action and social protection in the area of Traditional Authorities Dambe and Chekucheku in Neno district.