By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, March 11, Mana: The consequences of climate change are evident through dry spells, cyclones, and erratic rainfall. For a country whose economy heavily depends on agriculture, this poses a significant blow to the economy, farmers, and the entire population, who continue to feel the harsh impacts of nature. 

To counter these effects, farmers must understand and adopt modern farming technologies and agricultural diversification to ensure food security and foster commercial farming in the face of climate change. 

The promotion of commercial farming and agricultural diversification has always been a key focus for Malawi's leader, Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera.

For instance, in 2022, during a visit to Karonga, he encouraged farmers to grow new seeds like sesame to add value to the country's economy and transform livelihoods.

While, in 2023, Chakwera appealed to the ILOVO Group to diversify their value chain in Malawi to include other crops for the benefit of both Malawians and the company itself. 

The Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has also previously emphasized crop diversification as a critical strategy to mitigate hunger and achieve food security in Malawi.

In 2023, during the commemoration of World Food Day and Africa Food and Nutrition Security Day at Senior Chief Mwanza’s area in Salima, Kawale stressed the importance of practicing agricultural diversification.

He pointed out that dry spells, cyclones, and heavy rains caused by climate change are significantly affecting the country's economy, highlighting the urgent need for farmers to embrace agricultural diversification. 

Recently, the President of the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Manesi Nkhata, said that her team is actively promoting agricultural diversification on the ground. 

She expressed FUM’s vision for farmers to achieve increased incomes and more resilient livelihoods. 

"Agriculture continues to be affected by climate change, global pandemics, and international conflicts. FUM has, therefore, intensified the promotion of agricultural diversification among its members to help farmers sustain their livelihoods when one agricultural enterprise is affected by these factors. 

"Agricultural diversification enables farmers to earn a living even when other agricultural ventures fail due to unforeseen circumstances. It also assists them in multiplying their sources of income," Nkhata explained. 

She further highlighted that while the government is in the process of developing an agricultural diversification strategy, FUM has recognized the need to start preparing farmers to embrace the concept now. 

Recently, the Farmers Union of Malawi in Mzimba District (DFU) demonstrated a commitment to advancing agricultural diversification in the district. 

During a local engagement, the Chairperson for Mzimba South DFU, Dan Kaunda, noted that farmers in the district have realized the importance of diversifying their agricultural production to increase incomes and build more resilient systems. 

He mentioned that farmers are moving away from relying solely on cereal crops. Instead, they are venturing into banana production, beekeeping, fish farming, and sunflower cultivation. 

The Head of Agribusiness for the Farmers Union of Malawi praised farmers for adhering to various training programs and technical advice provided by FUM and other stakeholders. 

According to Nkhata, FUM is actively engaging farmers across every district, promoting agricultural diversification as a key strategy for addressing climate change-related challenges.