In what has been described as a move to contain devastating effects of climate change among farmers, a Blantyre-based farmer, Blessings Mlelemba has organised online training on climate smart farming techniques.
Speaking with Project in an interview Mlelemba, said he felt moved to conduct the training considering the country’s youths who have been facing challenges with productivity mainly because of climate change.
Farmers will be exposed to different issues for example climate smart farming techniques, homemade fertilisers, fertility restoration, home-made pesticides just to mention a few.
“We want to bring ways that farmers can use in the absence of rains. We also want the farmers to gain knowledge on agricultural diversification, we have not been spared on the issue of climate change. So it’s important for farmers to know the importance of growing crops for sustainability,” he said.
Aside from climate smart agriculture techniques, farmers will also be taught on scarcity of affordable inputs in a bid to minimise production costs.
“Limited resources and land are major challenges when it comes to agricultural productivity, something that hinders a person’s development and participation in economic processes. So instead of the farmer having to worry about a bag of fertilizer, they will produce locally,” he said.
Mlelemba said the project is targeting those who aspire to be a farmer, but does not have knowledge on how to invest in farming.
“My desire is to make a place of investments through farming because farming is business. In whatever I do as a farmer, I make sure I benefit from sweat,” he explained.
Mlelemba is a 27-year-old holder of a certificate in carpentry and Joinery at TEVET, far from what he studied he is now an established farmer with plans to train 2000 farmers at the end of the year.
The training will start on 15 August to 31 August with a registration fee of K5,000.
