By Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, May 20, Mana: Farmers in Thyolo are expected to benefit from improved crop yields and reduced dependency on chemical fertilizers through a new soil health initiative being implemented by One Acre Fund.

Speaking on the sidelines of a briefing session with Agriculture Extension Development Coordinators (AEDCs) from all Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) in Thyolo, One Acre Fund's Government Relations Officer for Thyolo, John Matemba, said the intervention is necessary because many farmers have been struggling with declining yields due to poor soil health.

“Most farmers are not generating the yield we aim for because the soil has degraded over time. Through this Soil Health Initiative, we are encouraging farmers to use organic manure and adopt practices like burying green residues to rejuvenate the land,” Matemba said.

He added that the goal is to promote a culture of organic farming where chemical fertilizer is used as a supplement, not the primary input.

“We want to instil a long-term mindset of soil care among farmers. By maximizing manure, they can improve yields sustainably,” he explained.

He added that to ensure effective implementation, One Acre Fund is working closely with AEDCs to help spread the message to farmers across the district.

Yasinta Chasowa, AEDC for Dwale EPA, welcomed the initiative, saying the knowledge gained from the meeting will help them to guide farmers in timely manure production and application.

“This meeting is timely. It will help us support farmers in adopting best practices for manure production, which in turn will improve soil fertility and reduce over-reliance on fertilizers,” she said.

Thyolo District Land Resources Officer, Akusainda Msiska, also commended the initiative, noting that it will play a significant role in enhancing agricultural productivity throughout the district.

The Soil Health Campaign is a mass awareness drive targeting both One Acre Fund and non-One Acre Fund farmers, covering all Traditional Authorities and EPAs in Thyolo.