Communities in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kasakula in Ntchisi District say the Legumes Enterprise and Structured Production (Lesp) project has improved  their agri-based livelihoods and food security.

They expressed the sentiments on Tuesday during a visit to Kasakula Cluster which Community Savings and Investment Promotion (Comsip) is supporting with farm inputs to produce soya beans, orange maize and groundnuts under the project.

The cluster’s chairperson Sekerani Chisimba said in an interview the intervention has improved their farming practices.

Chisimba packs some of the CG9 groundnuts he has harvested

He said: “For five growing seasons, we are provided with pesticides and best varieties of soya beans, groundnuts and orange maize that give us more yields. We have been taught and have embraced climate-smart agriculture practices that replenish fertility in our fields so that crops thrive.”

One of the cluster members, Gladys Amos, said they are doing profitable farming business.

“We are harvesting enough from our sweat because through the project, we have a steady market that offers us good prices above the government minimum farm gate prices,” she said.

Group village head Kambwembwe said the initiative has been key to eliminating poverty among his subjects.

Ntchisi District Council community development assistant Hassan Amin said the project complements their efforts to sustainably improve people’s lives.

“About 243 needy households in the district are targeted through the project to eliminate poverty,” he said.

Comsip development communication officer Mercy Chaluma said they strive to enhance the well-being of ultra-poor households through economic empowerment and achieving food security.

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