By Mathias Zulu
Mambwe District Agriculture Coordinator Henry Mukulumoya says the dry spell in the district is worrying as most of the crops are stressed and farmers have not even started applying top dressing because it is dry.
Mr. Mukulumoya said the situation was serious and that in January 2024 Mambwe district had only 15 rainy days with a total of 228.4mm and one rainy day in the month of February on the 5th with rainfall measuring 2.5mm.
“The situation is quite worrying. In some areas, we are still experiencing a dry spell. So we are just hoping things will improve otherwise there is already stress in the crops such as soya beans, maize and other crops. The maize is more affected with stress. Farmers have not even started applying urea because it is too dry,” he explained.
Mr. Mukulumoya has since advised farmers to adopt climate smart agriculture, crop diversifiction and venture into small livestock production as one way of mitigating the situation.
“One way of mitigating the situation is for farmers to go flat out to do climate smart agriculture not the usual farming that we used to do. When you practise the smart agriculture I think the stress might be minimised. Sometimes it is better to even engage in other crops – the resistant crops and the early maturing varieties,” Mr. Mukulumoya said.
He said farmers should even diversify into cassava and sorghum which he said does not need a lot of water.
“Farmers should even diversify further. Engage into small livestock like chickens, goats even rabbits. I think the situation won’t reverse. There is real climate change. We just have to change our mindset for us to live and survive otherwise the dry spells are worrying.”- NAIS
