Mufimbwe farmers urged to engage in climate smart agriculture

The Agriculture Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged farmers in Mufumbwe District of North Western province to engage in climate smart forms of agriculture.

ACF Executive Director, Joseph Mbinji, says farmers need to plant trees in their fields which promote resilience such as Musangu and Moringa.

Mr Mbinji urged farmers to adopt initiatives that will see them benefit from agriculture for years to come.

She stated that agroforestry remains an important tool for improving people’s livelihoods especially those in rural areas.

The ACF executive director called on government and stakeholders to support the programme so that it may be scaled to other parts of the country.

Mr Mbinji was speaking in Mufumbwe during the handover ceremony of Musangu and Moringa agroforestry trees to smallholder farmers in Mushima area of Mufumbwe.

The pilot project was being implemented by the ACF, in collaboration with Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

And District Forestry Officer, Eversty Hang’andu, said planting of the two trees will help farmers reduce on buying of fertiliser for their crops.

Mr Hang’andu said this is because the two trees release good nutrients for the soil and for most agricultural crops.

He added that the Musangu and Moringa are fast-growing trees that provide a good alternative to farming in the country.

Meanwhile, Mufumbwe District Commissioner (DC), Mankishi Mukokwe, commended the Agriculture Consultative Forum for implementing the programme in the district.

Ms Mukokwe explained that climate smart forms of agriculture are crucial for boosting agricultural production in the country.

Ms Mukokwe has since affirmed that her office will continue monitoring the project to ensure its success in the district.

The District Commissioner stated that the trees will place farmers at the forefront of improved agricultural production.

And a farmer, Douglas Choolwe, welcomed the programme, stating that it will go a long way in promoting soil fertility in most farmers’ fields.