Women from different clubs that grow cotton in Salima are now extending their farming by going into animal and crop diversification as a way of improving their productivity and income growth.
African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC), through its project ‘Women Economic Empowerment (WEE)’, is helping female cotton farmers in the district to increase their yield by adopting sustainable land management systems, and venturing into crop and animal diversification as they grow cotton.
Speaking on Monday after touring some project’s initiatives in Senior Chief Kalonga, Agriculture Extension District Coordinator (AEDC) for Matenje Extension Planning Area (EPA), Alice Kafunda, said the project discourages the farmers from relying on one crop, but encourages them to diversify for them to benefit from multiple activities.
“Venturing into crop and livestock production as they wait for next season’s cotton farming can help them earn more so that when some crops do not do well, they will rely on other crops. So, this is a turning point for most cotton farmers,” she said.
Kafunda further said in the recent past, there has been a decrease in cotton production due un attractive prices, however, with AICC interventions, she said multiple buyers have come in, creating competition in the buying of cotton this season.
AICC Project Officer, Moses Ching’ombe, said his organisation promotes cotton farming and adding value to the crop to ensure that farmers are able to meet their needs through different enterprises.
“We are mostly equipping our farmers with knowledge on how they can make extra income through diversification, and we are also teaching these women good agriculture practices that will help them increase productivity,” he said.
One of the project’s beneficiaries from Senior Chief Kalonga who is also Vice-Chairperson for Kachikumba Club, Grace Liwonde, said the project had taught them good planning and saving skills as they practice their farming.
“At first, we were conducting farming without proper planning and budgeting. Now, thanks to the project, we ensure that our activities are well documented and most members have started saving money. We have been groomed with VSL skills and Budgeting, so this is a great initiative,” she said.
Liwonde added that AICC has helped them to secure different markets for their crops, which will help most cotton farmers to grow.
Women Economic Empowerment(WEE) is a two-year project implemented in Chipoka and Chinguluwe extension planning areas in Salima with support from Sweden Corporative Association.
Reported By Golden Kang’oma
