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Cotton Farmers Says Study Groups Effective for Cotton Farming

Some of the cotton farmers Some of the cotton farmers - pic by Chrispin Msiska

Youths and women in Senior Chief Chanthunya in Balaka district have attributed their success in cotton farming to study circle approach that is addressing several issues in access to cotton seed and income through diversifying into goat production among others.

The approach is being implemented by African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) in partnership with We Effect through its Sustainable Cotton for Women and Youth Empowerment project targeting 13,750 beneficiaries in Malawi with Balaka pegged at 2,750 beneficiaries.

The project is improving production and productivity, capacity building of farmers to adapt to climate change through Sustainable Agricultural Land Management, adoption of better cotton initiative certification, income diversification, Village Savings and Loans among others in targeted communities in five districts; Mangochi, Salima Chikwawa, and Balaka.

Jinny Wecha a beneficiary of a study circle has disclosed to Zodiak online during a Media appreciation tour at one of a learning centers of a 1-hectare land where the improved cotton seed used and agricultural practices learnt are expected to fetch her MK 640,000 from an expected output of 1,600 Kgs of seed cotton, an amount she could not fetch before.

Department of agriculture in Balaka is optimistic that cotton farmers will benefit with bogard seeds this season.

Livirizi extension planning Area desk officer in Balaka, Liwonde ADD Louis James Kaulele said this on Wednesday 29th April, 2022 at Chidalala study centre during a media appreciation tour.

"We encourage cotton farmers are encouraged to plant bogard seeds under sustainable cotton for women and youths empowerment (SCOWYE) supported by African Institute of Corporate citizenship (AICC) project," said Kaulele

Cotton farming has been declining in the past three years due to poor price and production.

This year farmers in Balaka are expecting to harvest more lint with the coming in of improved bogard seeds namely C5-71.

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