Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola Banda must be one of the best crop diversifiers in the country. If one sober Malawian keenly follows his Namuleri Farm posts, a clear point is that he produces a variety of crops – both agronomical and horticultural.
Malawians know and understand his beautiful thinking on the potential benefits of increasing crop diversity on the farm, among others:
- Increased income on small farm holdings.
- Helps withstand fluctuation in commodity prices.
- Provides resilience to highly variable weather conditions resulting from climate change.
- Increases profits by reducing the cost of production.
- Provides more varied and healthful Food, both for humans and livestock.
- Decreases pest pressure, including diseases, insects and weeds.
- Enhances beneficial pollinator populations.
- Improves soil quality.
- Increases employment opportunities.
- Diverse rotations may increase crop yields and produce quality.
What a Great Farmer