Government has warned of potential for extreme events such as flash floods, crop pests and diseases in the 2024/2025 farming season, due to expected normal to above-normal rainfall.
Minister of Agriculture, Reuben Phiri, says the expected normal to above-normal rainfall may as well be damaging to community infrastructure and may displace communities.
Mr. Phiri said this when he gave a Ministerial Statement in the National Assembly this morning, on topical issues for the 2024/2025 farming season.
He urged farmers to diversify their crops according to the specific rainfall forecast for each district and province.
“We recommend that farmers diversify their crop production to include other climate resilient crops such as sorghum, cassava, millet and early maturing legumes including cowpeas, common beans and groundnuts,” advised Mr. Phiri.
He said farmers should also ensure that they plant quality certified seed as well as implement conservation agriculture practices.
Meanwhile, Phiri cautioned farmers against selling of farming inputs saying anyone found wanting will face the law.
“This is a serious warning to farmers, your bags of fertilizers are clearly indicating, not for sale so if you sell, you will be arrested,” said Mr. Mtolo
By Margaret Mwanza
