The rains now with Climate Change and depletion of the Ozone Layer are dodgy. When it rains, you find that there is a lot of sunshine and very hot even removing some of the benefits of the water just rained. In Malawi, we have just received heavy rains continuous for three days in Zomba district and this is cause for alarm. Farmers should make sure to grow other food crops in case maize fails. These include sorghum, millets, rice, European potato, sweet potato and plantains. Majority of farmers start planting these crops when they see that there is drought, no. We need to plant now with these rains and when drought comes, root establishment is already in place and will grow with little moisture except rice. Malawi is blessed with a lot of water bodies like Lakes and rivers and we need to take advantage of these waters. Irrigation can play a critical role on food crop sustainability. The other crucial issue on food is the diversification of our eating habits. Maize is foreign, the Center of diversity is Central America and we can diversify our eating habits with these different foods that we have in Malawi and other countries.
Livestock plays a crucial role in food production: Meat, eggs, milk and milk products, manure, hides and skins, sale of the actual livestock for cash to buy food can sustain food and nutrition. Some livestock farmers keep large herds even when there is no grass. Need to sell some stock and maintain a few. The money can be used to purchase food.
Dr. Andrew T Daudi
Andrew Daudi