A Civic leader in Chisamba District in Central Province says small-scale farmers in his area have embraced modern agricultural technologies with a view of improving their productivity in the wake of climate change.

Muswishi Ward Councilor Ignitius Haang’ombe states that at least 40 percent of the farmers in his ward have adopted the use of a mobile phone weather application which is enabling them to predict weather patterns.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Chisamba, Mr Haang’ombe said the development has helped farmers to do their activities with ease in the wake of unpredictable weather conditions.

“The mobile phone weather application has worked well with some farmers. Even when it is dry, they are applying fertilizer knowing exactly when the rains will fall through the app guide,” he said.

Mr Haang’ombe, however, called for increased sensitisation of farmers on modern agricultural technologies especially in relation to weather forecasting, in order to ensure that more farmers are equipped with the right information.

Meanwhile, Mr Haang’ombe has commended the government for the early distribution of farming inputs for the 2024/2025 farming season, for beneficiaries on the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

He noted that the early distribution of farming inputs has seen farmers prepare and plant early this season.

He added that he was hopeful that farmers in his area will have good yields following the improvement of rainfall.

“We thought the maize could not withstand the heat that we experienced for the past few weeks when we had a dry spell. But I am glad to indicate that the maize is doing very fine,” he said.

Mr Haang’ombe said if the status quo remains the way it is, farmers will produce enough for household food security and sell some to recover what they lost in the previous season.