Tiyeni monitoring and evaluation manager France Gondwe has asked farmers in Blantyre to embrace deep bed farming technology to improve their crop productivity amid prolonged dry spells.

He said this on Thursday after conducting an evaluation of crops grown under the technology in traditional authorities Lundu and Chigaru in the district.

Gondwe said despite the prolonged dry spells that affected most of the Southern Region, the technology has given most farmers a lease of life.

He said: “In Lirangwe, some farmers have grown maize using deep bed technology for the first time and they have testified that the crop withstood the dry spells compared with maize grown on ridges.”

Farmers show their maize crop

“We are satisfied with the project as farmers are able to see the difference between the use of the deep bed method and the traditional way of farming.”

One of the farmers, Edina Frank, thanked Tiyeni Programme for introducing them to deep bed farming technology, saying despite the dry spells, they will be able to harvest.

“My crops have done well under the modern farming technology,” she said.

Frank asked other farmers to embrace the technology next growing season to improve their crop productivity.

Deep bed farming is a climate-smart agriculture method which involves the use of compost manure and beds using contour alignment.

Tiyeni is implementing the deep bed farming technology in Blantyre, Rumphi, Chitipa, Mzimba, Mangochi, Mulanje, Dowa and Lilongwe districts.

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