El Niño threat shifts focus to early farm preparations

With Malawi facing the prospect of El Niño conditions that could bring below-normal rainfall and dry spells across the Southern Region, farmers and agricultural input suppliers are calling for early preparations to minimise crop loss.

The anticipated dry weather has heightened the need for timely access to appropriate farm inputs and techniques that can withstand prolonged dry spells.

El Niño puts Malawi at the cusp of dry spells that call for fast-maturing crops. | Nation

Among the initiatives to help farmers harvest more despite climate shocks,the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) is strengthening access to agricultural inputs through its One Stop Centre initiative.

According to SFFRFM director of commercial services Ali Chioko, the initiative seeks to make it easier for farmers to access various inputs in one place.

“We would want to make life easier for our farmers,” he says.

SFFRFM runs 55 retail shops across the country, stocking fertilisers, agrochemicals, herbicides, seeds and farm implements, among other inputs.

Some outlets also stock irrigation equipment, which Chioko said could help farmers cope with the looming dry spells that will hit the Southern Region and parts of the Central Region the hardest.

He said the organisation was procuring fertiliser, with stocks expected to start arriving in its shops towards the end of September, while most locally sourced inputs were already available.

Chioko said having inputs readily available would allow farmers to take advantage of the first rains and plant early.

He advised farmers to use early-maturing varieties as rains could vanish earlier than expected.

“Once the initial rains come, farmers should be able to start planting,” he said.

For farmers such as Gabriel Madeira, from Mulanje, accessing the necessary farm inputs on time and under one roof increases farmers’ potential yield in tricky times.

He likens SFFRFM shops to “a basket of all farming inputs”.

“Accessing fertiliser, seed and other necessities from one shop saves farmers time,” Madeira says. “Agro-dealers need to prepare early for the anticipated super El Niño conditions by stocking drought-resistant seed and other inputs.”

He said timely availability of farm inputs would help farmers improve their potential yields despite the looming drought.

Saju Agro-dealers managing director Julius Kamanga said the one-stop centre would also improve farmers’ access to farm inputs, including bio-fertilisers that reduce crop stress during dry conditions by improving soil health and water retention.

However, Kamanga urged SFFRFM to consider advance payments based on client demand to ensure suppliers maintain adequate stocks.

Chioko urged farmers to adopt irrigation as part of efforts to reduce their dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

“We cannot stop farming. Farming is the mainstay of life in Malawi and for our economy,” he said.

He urged farmers to adapt to the anticipated conditions by planting early, using early-maturing varieties and embracing irrigation farming.

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