Kasiya farmers plant on time despite grasshopper damage – councillor
Councillor Sidney Mwamba of Kasiya Ward, Livingstone, Southern Province
By Chali Mulenga, Southern Province
Livingstone’s Kasiya Ward councillor Sidney Mwamba says farmers in his area planted on time during the 2024/2025 farming season despite facing serious challenges, including widespread grasshopper attacks that damaged crops.
Mr. Mwamba said most farmers responded positively to the Government’s call to increase agricultural production, noting that farming inputs were delivered in good time.
“Our farmers really planted. They tried their best under very difficult conditions. Fertiliser came in good time, seeds were available, and farmers planted,” Mwamba said.
However, Mwamba said the ward experienced a major outbreak of grasshoppers, which affected most crops.
“There was a serious challenge of grasshoppers, particularly in my ward. Most of the crops were attacked,” Mwamba said.
Mwamba said the Agriculture Department responded by supplying chemicals to affected farmers, but the pests proved difficult to control.
“Agatha came in to respond and gave chemicals here and there, but the grasshoppers were too stubborn. They were still there,” Mwamba said.
Despite the damage, Mwamba said farmers still had some standing crops and expressed optimism about the harvest, particularly for maize.
“Overall, we still have some crops. The maize is doing very well, and we are lucky that God has blessed us with some rains. We hope the rain will continue. The ward was likely to record a “bumper harvest” if weather conditions remained favourable,” noted Mwamba.
Mwamba also welcomed the timely release of farming inputs under the Ministry of Community Development programmes, including the Food Security Pack (FISP) and the Wetlands Programme.
Mwamba said the Wetlands Programme, which supports winter maize, vegetables and other crops, had already captured beneficiaries’ names, with inputs expected to be distributed within the next few weeks.
“As we speak, the names have already been captured. Farmers should be given the inputs in the next few weeks, which is very good timing,” Mwamba said.
Mwamba said the timely distribution would allow farmers to smoothly transition from maize production to vegetable farming.
“In the past, it was bad. Wetland inputs would come around August, which was too late, and that is why you would see farmers selling inputs, which is not good,” Mwamba said.
Mwamba said the improved timing had excited both farmers and local leadership.
“Immediately after finishing their maize crop, farmers will move into vegetable farming. The timing is perfect, and farmers are very excited. I am also excited as a councillor,” Mwamba said.
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