Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has launched a Manure, Irrigation and Fodder preservation programme in order to deal with climate change and promoting agriculture activities.

The main event took place on Wednesday at Namilongo primary school ground in the Traditional Authority Mlumbe in Zomba district.

The ceremony, which attracted agriculture experts from the ministry, officers from various Agriculture Development Divisions (ADDs), traditional leaders and farmers, started by field visits in the areas of Malosa and Thondwe Extension Program Areas (EPAs) where farmers showcased different agricultural activities.

Some of the activities include small scale irrigation schemes, livestock feed preservation, livestock pass on program, agroforestry and fruit tree nursery, and integrated aquaculture and agriculture system.

The Director of Administration in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Maxwell Tsitsi, who was the guest of honor, said his ministry came up with the initiative to minimize issues of low production of crops especially due to climate change.

Tsitsi said: “The country has been affected by climate change and we need to deploy modern technologies that will help farmers to harvest more even during this period of climate change challenges.”

He therefore asked farmers to adapt to the modern technologies to make sure that the country is always food secure.

Before making his speech to launch the initiative, Tsitsi led the delegates in appreciating various agriculture displays by farmer’s groups.

One of the farmers, Ester Mataka, who is a member of Chilunga Small Scale Irrigation in Malosa EPA, commended the initiative saying it has improved the livelihood of their families in terms of food security.

She however bemoaned unavailability of stead markets to sale their crops and has asked government to intervene.

Theme of the event was Soil Nutrient Restoration, Irrigation and Fodder Preservation: Key to Climate Change Resilience.