El Niño threat puts focus on early farm preparations

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

The anticipated weather conditions have heightened the need for farmers to access appropriate inputs and adopt farming practices that can withstand prolonged dry spells.

Against this backdrop, the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) is strengthening access to agricultural inputs through its One Stop Centre initiative.

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

“We would want to make life very much easier for our farmers,” he said.

SFFRFM currently has 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 possible dry spells.

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, warning that El Niño could result in rains ending 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, the availability of different inputs under one roof has increased confidence in SFFRFM.

“Whenever I hear of SFFRFM shops, what comes into my mind is a basket of all farming inputs,” he said.

Madeira said accessing fertiliser, seed, agrochemicals and other necessities from one outlet saves farmers time and has helped build trust in SFFRFM.

He, however, wants the organisation to prepare early for the anticipated El Niño conditions by stocking drought-resistant seed and other inputs.

“I am expecting SFFRFM to help us in time by putting stocks and drought-resistant seeds in the shops early,” said Madeira.

He said timely availability of fertiliser and chemicals would enable farmers to respond to changing weather conditions and improve their chances of achieving good yields.

Saju Agro-dealers managing director Julius Kamanga said the One Stop Centre would also improve farmers’ access to bio-fertilisers and other inputs.

He said bio-fertilisers could help reduce crop stress during dry conditions by improving soil health and water retention.

“Saju is prepared to meet increased demand of bio-fertilisers and other inputs that help reduce crop stress due to drought caused by El Niño,” Kamanga said.

However, Kamanga said financing remained a challenge for suppliers, particularly the gap between placing orders and receiving payments.

He urged SFFRFM to consider advance payments based on client demand to ensure suppliers can maintain adequate stocks.

Chioko said farmers should also consider 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.