Farm shows come back
A long-standing favourite in many farmers diaries in Malawi as elsewhere, agricultural shows fell out of favour with government backers during the 1990 s. Now though, it is the farmers themselves in Malawi s southern district of Mulanje who have re-launched the shows, with the aim of providing a forum for sharing ideas on modern farming methods. They use them to proudly display their quality crops including maize the country s main staple, cassava, beans, bananas, pumpkins and sweet potatoes. Good quality livestock is also on display. And, as at any agricultural show worth its name anywhere in the world, the farmers swop seeds, products, tales, boasts and experiences, though not in that particular order. Some observers have pointed out what seems to be a small irony. The district of Mulanje is experiencing an acute food shortage, in part because many local smallholders cannot afford inputs and use poor farming methods, as well as suffering from a land shortage. The good quality of crops and livestock being exhibited at their shows reflects the real potential, and the revival of their shows should help local agriculture improve itself.
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| Format: | News Item biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
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Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
2001
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/46305 https://hdl.handle.net/10568/99598 |
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