By Golden Kang’oma

Salima, July 25, Mana: Ministry of Agriculture says proper land and soil resource management is the best option in climate change mitigation.

Principal Secretary responsible for Irrigation in the ministry, Engineer Geoffrey Mamba, made the remarks on Monday during the opening of the 41st National Conference for the Department of Land Resource Conservation in Salima District.

"As the country's agriculture sector continues to be affected by natural disasters and other environmental hazards, it is only right to find other solutions and strategies to increase crop productivity of which one is proper land management," said Mamba.

He said there is need for government and other stakeholders to assist smallholder farmers with education and technical support on how they can increase productivity amid climate-induced challenges.

"I should say it clearly that for the past years, crop production has gone down due to drought, heavy rains and other climate change effects.

“But if we stick to proper land management, there will be great change," he added.

On her part, Director of Land Resource Conservation, Getrude Kambauwa, said lack of resources continues to affect the department, which makes it difficult to address land management issues.

"As of now, lack of resources remains our greatest challenge as we do not receive enough funds, but we are very optimistic that we will be bailed out and work accordingly," she said.

Kambauwa further urged government and other stakeholders to pump in more resources to address land and soil management issues in her department.

The 41st Land Resource and Conservation Conference is being held under the theme: "Re-thinking Sustainable Land and Water Management amid Emerging Issues”.