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Farmers praise CA programme
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FARMERS in the Lubombo and Shiselweni regions, under the International Relief Development (IRD) have praised the conservation Agriculture Programme.
The farmers feel this is a good programme as they get all the technical assistance they need.
In this programme, farmers are introduced to farming by hand through digging holes with specified depths prior to the farming season. This helps them not to rely on tractors, particularly for those areas experiencing a dry spell such as Matsanjeni, Somntongo and others.
A farmer under Shoba chiefdom, Anita Ndamela, said the method was useful to them. She said she was encouraged to diversify in her farming.
“After harvesting the maize I then planted beans and cassava. They have also taught me the importance of having a small vegetable garden.”
Speaking at her field on Friday during a harvest assessment exercise by IRD programme manager Daniel Mlenga, Ndamela said through the programme, her family was food sufficient. She said the IRD extension officers provided them with the technical expertise on farming through regular visits.
“The CA method of farming is cheaper, rewarding but requires hard work and determination. It is not easy to dig the holes on a big field, but for one with determination, it is possible, particularly with us in the drought- stricken areas.”
She further said this method was good for farmers in places that receive low rainfall. She thanked IRD for helping them with seeds. She asked that they be given early so they could take advantage of the first rains.
Another farmer, Zachariah Mkhatjwa of Lulakeni under Sigwe Inkhundla, said he received a good harvest such that he had to enlarge his maize storage space. He said he harvested 100 litres of sorghum - something he had not expected.
He said he was encouraged to continue with this method of farming because it has proved to be good. Mlenga said there were 1 120 farmers under their CA programme. He said the farmers were provided with technical expertise.
Mlenga said the programme covered individual farmers from nine constituencies including Nkilongo, Matsanjeni, Lubuli, Somtongo, Hosea, Sithobela, Ngudzeni, Sigwe and Mpolonjeni.
“We also encouraged them to have small gardens so that they can have a balanced meal without having to buy everything.”
He said they had observed that some farmers got a good harvest and others nothing, but it was gratifying to note that those who followed the advice from the extension officers had a good harvest. Mlenga said for those who did not get good harvests, he suspects that they did not weed their fields.
The programme is funded by USAID/OFDA and will run until 2012.
The farmers feel this is a good programme as they get all the technical assistance they need.
In this programme, farmers are introduced to farming by hand through digging holes with specified depths prior to the farming season. This helps them not to rely on tractors, particularly for those areas experiencing a dry spell such as Matsanjeni, Somntongo and others.
A farmer under Shoba chiefdom, Anita Ndamela, said the method was useful to them. She said she was encouraged to diversify in her farming.
“After harvesting the maize I then planted beans and cassava. They have also taught me the importance of having a small vegetable garden.”
Speaking at her field on Friday during a harvest assessment exercise by IRD programme manager Daniel Mlenga, Ndamela said through the programme, her family was food sufficient. She said the IRD extension officers provided them with the technical expertise on farming through regular visits.
“The CA method of farming is cheaper, rewarding but requires hard work and determination. It is not easy to dig the holes on a big field, but for one with determination, it is possible, particularly with us in the drought- stricken areas.”
She further said this method was good for farmers in places that receive low rainfall. She thanked IRD for helping them with seeds. She asked that they be given early so they could take advantage of the first rains.
Another farmer, Zachariah Mkhatjwa of Lulakeni under Sigwe Inkhundla, said he received a good harvest such that he had to enlarge his maize storage space. He said he harvested 100 litres of sorghum - something he had not expected.
He said he was encouraged to continue with this method of farming because it has proved to be good. Mlenga said there were 1 120 farmers under their CA programme. He said the farmers were provided with technical expertise.
Mlenga said the programme covered individual farmers from nine constituencies including Nkilongo, Matsanjeni, Lubuli, Somtongo, Hosea, Sithobela, Ngudzeni, Sigwe and Mpolonjeni.
“We also encouraged them to have small gardens so that they can have a balanced meal without having to buy everything.”
He said they had observed that some farmers got a good harvest and others nothing, but it was gratifying to note that those who followed the advice from the extension officers had a good harvest. Mlenga said for those who did not get good harvests, he suspects that they did not weed their fields.
The programme is funded by USAID/OFDA and will run until 2012.
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