A Dedza-based farmer, Papious Paulo has earned praise among his fellow farmers after harvesting over 400 bags of maize despite an El-Nino-induced drought that characterised the last growing season.
Paulo has told ProjectM that he has become an instant millionaire in just under a year through the harvest.
Through a K5 million loan he obtained from the state owned National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), Paulo invested the money into farming, cultivating crops such as Maize, Groundnuts and Cassava.
“For the first time in my entire farming career, this was the first time for me to take such a huge risk and I am glad that the heavens smiled at me,” he said.
Apart from harvesting the Maize, Paulo also harvested Groundnut bags and he will soon harvest Cassava.
“Personally, I feel like I cheated last growing season’s drought because most of my friends didn’t harvest more like I have harvested,” said Paulo.
Through farming, Paulo has now employed several farm workers who are helping him in taking care of his produce.
Meanwhile, NEEF through its Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni has expressed excitement with the news, saying it is the organisation’s wish to see farmers graduating from subsistence farming to commercial farming.
“We as NEEF, have received this testimony with gratitude as it is our wish to see people prosper,” he said.
