By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, April 12, Mana:  Maltida Mtambo, Dedza District Council's Chief Agriculture Officer, has advised farmers in the district to join cooperatives for easy access to farm inputs and also be able to learn modern agricultural methods.

Mtambo made the sentiments on Friday during a field day for farmers at Bembeke area under Inkosi Kamenyagwaza in the district.

Mtambo said, “Time has come for farmers in the country to work together and harvest bumper yields. We appreciate the lead farmers here who are also at the forefront in helping other farmers.”

She further encouraged farmers to continue using hybrid crops, saying they mature earlier than other local varieties, also to beat climate change.

In his remarks, chairperson for Bembeke lead farmers network, Chikumbutso Montino, said there are 18 groups that recently managed to contribute MK33 million, which was used to buy hybrid seeds and maize.

“Many farmers have now realized the importance of joining the groups, and this year we are expecting to put together over MK100 million. We encourage other farmers to collaborate for the mutual benefit of all.

“We also plan to intensify irrigation farming, hence calling upon small-scale growers to join cooperatives," said Montino.