The Mangochi Agriculture Office has encouraged local farmers to adopt organic manure as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. This initiative aims to conserve the environment and improve agricultural productivity, particularly in the face of rising costs of chemical fertilizers. According to Masautso Njolomole, the district's agriculture crops officer, organic manure enriched with urea and NPK provides a balanced nutrient supply that enhances soil fertility and microbial activity.
Njolomole made the call during a community mobilisation campaign for flood disaster response, organized by the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) at Hamisi Makanjira Headquarters. He emphasized that this approach promotes long-term sustainability by boosting soil resilience and contributing to environmental conservation. By adopting organic manure, farmers can improve crop productivity while minimizing their environmental footprint.
In addition to promoting organic manure, Njolomole urged farmers to harvest and conserve water locally in anticipation of the predicted El Niño weather. He recommended practices such as contour ridging and constructing swales along marker ridges to help farmers manage water resources effectively. This proactive approach can help mitigate the impact of droughts and floods on agricultural production.
Traditional Authority (T/A) Hamisi Makanjira expressed gratitude to Csat for the mobilisation campaign and humanitarian support. He noted that the initiative will help communities adjust their farming practices based on weather forecasts, providing a safety net for affected families. By adopting modern farming practices, farmers can reduce their vulnerability to climate-related shocks.
One of the farmers, Hajira Hanifu, who is also a member of Fort Maguire Area Development Committee, pledged to adopt organic manure and other modern farming practices to maximise crop production. This commitment reflects the growing recognition among farmers of the importance of sustainable agriculture in achieving food security and improving livelihoods.
Csat's Right to Food project lead, Moffat Phiri, urged communities to follow the technical guidance provided by the agriculture team. He emphasized that the recovery initiative has come at a critical time, given the forecast of difficult weather conditions. By working together, farmers and stakeholders can achieve positive results and build resilience in the face of climate change.
Csat is implementing the Right to Food in Africa: From Policy to Plate project in Mangochi district, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through Welthungerhilfe. The organisation is conducting community mobilisation ahead of the distribution of cash and farm inputs to flood-affected households in T/As Lulanga and Hamisi Makanjira, aiming to enhance food security and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
Key points
- Mangochi Agriculture Office promotes organic manure to conserve environment and boost crop productivity
- Farmers urged to adopt modern farming practices to manage water resources effectively
- Csat implements Right to Food project to enhance food security and promote sustainable agriculture practices
