By Dalitso Kampira
Farmers in Thyolo district can now afford a smile with the introduction of ‘Transforming Agriculture Through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE)’ project which aims to improve their livelihoods.
This was observed after touring two Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) of Dwale and Thyolo Centre where the project is scheduled to target.
Speaking after the tour on Wednesday, Desk Officer for TRADE project in Thyolo, Kingsley Masinga, said the project is targeting daily farmers through Milk Bulking Groups (MBGs) to empower them to take farming as a business.
"Today we visited the Ntambanyama and Mpeni Milk Bulking Groups (MBGs) under Thyolo Centre and Dwale (EPAs) respectively to appreciate the work of transforming agriculture that is taking place currently.
"Farmers should try to transform agriculture for not only producing but think of selling.,” said Masinga.
Masinga said as an office, they appreciated the strides the project is making citing the training of farmers to move from community level of engaging and planning to family level, hence bringing better achievement at household level.
He said the project is also venturing into infrastructure development where renovation of MBGs, roads and bridges are taking place.
Thyolo Centre (EPAs)Extension Worker, under Ntambanyama MBGs, Dyton Kafulama, said daily farming has helped them to find food, shelter, paying school fees among others, saying the TRADE project will help them to diversify.
"The project has come in time hence acting as an eye opener to us. We are now able to grow different crops such as Soya, Tomato, Cabbage and maize, apart from selling Milk,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries from Mpeni MBGs under Dwale (EPAs), Titani Banda, thanked the TRADE project saying has helped promote gender balance in her family.
The Six-year project under Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is being implemented in 10 districts of Thyolo, Blantyre, Dedza, Lilongwe, Kasungu, Mchinji, Nkhatabay, Chitipa and Karonga, and is funded by International Fund for Agriculture Development and Open Fund for International Development Fund.
Comments