By James Mwale

Ntchisi, March 27, 2025: Minister of Agriculture, Samuel Kawale, says farmers in the country should opt for drought and disease resilient seed under the current climate change times.

Kawale made the call on Wednesday in Senior Chief Chilooko's area in Ntchisi District while attending a field day organized by the Agriculture Research and Extension Trust. The event showcased three newly bred burley tobacco seed varieties developed by the trust's scientists, along with other services they offer.

Among the services is a tobacco clinic under which ARET scientists are invited to tobacco farms to address pest and disease challenges that farmers encounter.

On the sidelines of the event, Kawale told Malawi News Agency that, “We had several objectives on this field visit one of which was to appreciate how our farmers in the tobacco industry have performed, what challenges they have met, and what we as a Ministry should do to support them.

“First of all it has been the issues of climate change impacts. They haven’t had adequate rains, and pests and diseases that took advantage of the rainfall shortages.”

Kawale commended ARET for the intervention to the agriculture industry saying it aligns with government initiative of developing drought, pest and disease resilient seed to withstand the climate change impacts.

ARET Chief Executive Officer Albert Changaya said: “We have also showcased a tobacco clinic where our scientists can be invited to farmer’s field to diagnose crops and provide expertise and remedies for future reference on how to handle similar challenges.

According to Kangaya, ARET has 46 contact groups in Ntchisi District which serve as entry points through which certified farmers are engaged to be drilled with various extension messages