Ministry tips farmers on how to mitigate El Nino impact on crops
Ministry of Agriculture has outlined a number of measures that could help farmers and other stakeholders to mitigate the impact of anticipated adverse weather conditions.
The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services recently predicted that the 2023/2024 rainfall season will be influenced by El Niño conditions that is known to cause prolonged and devastating, dry spells and/ or floods.
The department stated that in this regard, most of the districts in the Southern and Central Regions are likely to experience normal to below-normal rains for the season.
It added that there is also an expected delay in the onset of the rainy season by at least two weeks in some areas that will in turn lead to delays for the country to receive effective planting rains.
“From January to March 2024, most areas should anticipate normal to below-normal total rainfall amounts, with the possibility of above-normal rainfall in January. There is also a high chance of prolonged dry spells in February, 2024 which likely to have negative impact on agriculture in Malawi. The forecast outlook for most of the districts in the Southern and Central Regions of normal to below-normal rains throughout the season suggests a potential water deficit, which could affect crop development.
“Although there is a possibility of above-normal rainfall in January, which could provide some relief to agriculture, it is crucial to be prepared for variations in rainfall levels especially in the follow-up month of February as there is a high likelihood of prolonged dry spells in the month,’ thus it was predicted.
Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dixie Kampani, in a press statement issued on Thursday, said his ministry has put together a number of measures to help farmers and other stakeholders to mitigate the impact of the anticipated adverse weather conditions.
Among others, the ministry has advised to plant right and recommended varieties, plant drought tolerant varieties and early maturing varieties.
The ministry also advised the farmers to diversify in order to reduce crop failure.
On water conservation, farmers have been urged to construct rainwater harvesting structures such as check dams, gully plugs, contour bunds, box and tied ridges, swales, planting pits, infiltration ponds, and gabion structures.
Most importantly, the ministry has encouraged the farmers and the public to seek advice from the Agricultural Extension Development Officers in their areas.
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