–Petauke maize yields still low-DAO

Petauke District Administrative officer (DAO) Getrude Zulu has urged farmers to adopt new farming methods if their yields were to increase.

Mrs Zulu said it is was worrying that the district has recorded only 30 percent improvement in farming methods.

She disclosed this during a field day held in Msanzala in Petauke district .

“Petauke district conservation farming has only recorded thirty percent of Improvement farming which is worrying as it is an indication that farmers  are reluctant to conform to new farming methods,” she said.

The DAO further said that there was need for farmers to improve methods of farming to meet the expected 4.5 to 5.3 metric tones yield per hectare.

She said that the farmers would not realize the value to invest in agriculture if they continue to yield below the expected tones.

The DAO said most farmers in the district were still getting the yield of about 1.5 metric to 2.0 metric tones per hectare.

And speaking earlier Petauke District Agriculture Coordinator (DACO) Friday Sikombe said the government was keen to see to it that farmers diversify to other crops for food security.

Mr Sikombe said the farmers had continued to use old methods which he said was not good for both the country and themselves.