Mlimi Satopa

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

Cows demolished the fence and broke most of the cassava trees. As of then this is the size of cassava. Some of the challenges a farmer must expect

08/08/2026

BANANA FARMING: TURNING A SMALL PIECE OF LAND INTO A REGULAR SOURCE OF INCOME!

Banana farming can be more than just growing food—it can become a profitable commercial business when managed properly.

With good planting materials, enough water, proper nutrition and effective pest and disease management, farmers can harvest bananas regularly and supply a ready market.

1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CLIMATE

Bananas perform best in warm, humid conditions, ideally between 20°C and 30°C.

They need about 1,000–2,000 mm of well-distributed rainfall per year. Where rainfall is unreliable, irrigation is important.

Strong winds can damage banana plants, so consider planting windbreaks.
2. PREPARE THE SOIL PROPERLY

Bananas prefer deep, fertile and well-drained soils rich in organic matter.

A soil pH of around 6.0–7.5 is generally suitable.

Prepare planting holes of about 60 cm × 60 cm × 60 cm and mix the topsoil with well-decomposed manure or compost before planting.

3. USE HEALTHY PLANTING MATERIAL

Your harvest starts with your planting material.

Use healthy, disease-free sword suckers or certified tissue-culture plantlets.

For commercial production, tissue-culture plants can provide more uniform growth and establishment.

Never plant weak or diseased suckers.

4. GET YOUR SPACING RIGHT

Common commercial spacing includes:

3 m × 3 m
3 m × 4 m

Depending on the variety and management system, this can accommodate roughly 800–1,100 plants per hectare.

Plant at the beginning of the rainy season where possible, and water immediately after planting.

5. FEED YOUR BANANA PLANTS

Bananas are heavy feeders.

At planting, apply approximately 20–30 kg of well-decomposed manure or compost per hole.

Commercial plantations may also require significant amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. However, fertilizer rates should ideally be based on soil testing and local agricultural recommendations.

Split fertilizer applications throughout the growing season rather than applying everything at once.

6. WATER = BIG BUNCHES

Bananas need consistent moisture, especially during dry periods.

Drip irrigation
Basin irrigation
Mulching

can help maintain soil moisture.

Avoid waterlogging because excessive water can cause root problems.

7. CONTROL WEEDS

During the first six months, weeds can compete heavily with young banana plants.

Use:

Hand weeding
Hoeing
Mulching
Approved herbicides where appropriate

Dry grass and banana leaves can also be used as mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

8. WATCH OUT FOR PESTS & DISEASES

Some important banana problems include:

Banana weevil
Aphids
Thrips
Nematodes

Diseases include:

Panama disease
Black Sigatoka
Bunchy Top virus
Leaf spot diseases

The best defence starts with clean planting material and good field hygiene.

Remove and properly destroy seriously infected plants and use pesticides or fungicides only when necessary and according to the product label.

9. DESUCKERING & PROPPING

Don't allow too many suckers to compete with the mother plant.

A common management approach is to maintain one main plant and one follower per stool, depending on the production system.

Heavy bunches may also require propping to prevent plants from falling.

10. WHEN SHOULD YOU HARVEST?

Depending on the variety and management, bananas may mature about 8–12 months after planting.

Harvest when the fruits are well developed and full, but still green, if they are intended for transport and marketing.

Handle bunches carefully—bruising can reduce their market value.

11. POST-HARVEST HANDLING MATTERS

Good production can still result in losses if bananas are poorly handled.

Handle gently
Grade according to size and quality
Keep produce shaded and cool
Avoid direct sunlight
Use appropriate packaging

HOW MUCH CAN YOU PRODUCE?

Under good commercial management, banana production can potentially reach around 30–50 tonnes per hectare per year, although actual yields vary greatly depending on variety, climate, soil, water, pests, diseases and management.

THE BIG LESSON FOR FARMERS

Good bananas don't happen by accident.

Start with quality planting material.
Manage water.
Feed the plants properly.
Control weeds.
Monitor pests and diseases.
Harvest and handle the fruit carefully.

When these practices are combined with a reliable market, banana farming can become a serious income-generating enterprise.

NEXT ARTICLE:
BANANA INTERCROPPING: How farmers can earn extra income while their young banana plantation is still developing.

What would you like us to cover next?
Comment below with your banana farming questions or share your experience with other farmers.

22/07/2026

Unduna wa Zaulimi Watsutsa Kalata Yabodza Yokhudza Mitengo ya Feteleza
Unduna wa Zaulimi watsutsa uthenga womwe ukufalikira pa malo ochezera a pa intaneti womwe ukunena kuti walamula kuti mtengo wa mitundu yonse ya feteleza usapitilire K90,000 munyengo ya ulimi ya 2026/2027.
Malinga ndi uthenga womwe wasindikizidwa pa tsamba lovomerezeka la Undunawu la Facebook, kalata yomwe ikugawidwa ndi anthu sinachokere ku Unduna wa Zaulimi ndipo ndi yabodza.
Undunawu wapempha a Malawi kuti asasakhulupirire kapena kugawana uthenga umenewu, koma azidalira uthenga wokhawo womwe ukusindikizidwa kudzera pa njira zovomerezeka za Unduna.

17/07/2026

EL NIÑO 2026/27: MCHINJI FARMING OUTLOOK

Mchinji is one of Malawi's agricultural powerhouses, and under normal conditions the district receives 100–140 days of rainfall, making it suitable for growing almost all maize varieties, as well as soybeans, groundnuts, sunflower, and many other crops.
However, 100–140 rainy days does not mean continuous rainfall. Some areas in Mchinji can still experience 2–3 weeks without rain, especially in January or February, making proper planning essential.

What does the El Niño outlook mean for Mchinji?
Mchinji falls under a moderate risk zone. This does not mean a bad farming season, but it does mean farmers should prepare wisely.

Some areas may experience dry spells, so:
Plant at the right time.
Choose medium-maturing and drought-tolerant seed varieties.
Avoid delaying planting once effective rains begin.

Other areas may receive heavy rainfall within short periods, so:
Make wider planting ridges or rows where appropriate.
Use seed varieties that can perform well under changing weather conditions.
Improve drainage to reduce waterlogging.

In all cases:
Apply well-decomposed manure to improve soil fertility.
Mulch where possible to help retain soil moisture and reduce nutrient leaching during heavy rains.

Important Note: The district-specific seasonal rainfall forecast is expected in September. The information shared now is intended to help farmers begin planning early. In most parts of Mchinji, medium-maturing maize varieties are expected to be the best option, while a few locations may suit early or late-maturing varieties depending on the final forecast.
Plan early. Farm smart. Harvest more.

17/07/2026

District risk for El-Nino

17/07/2026

EL NIÑO: PREPARE NOW OR PAY THE PRICE LATER

El Niño is one of the world's most powerful climate patterns. It has repeatedly brought drought, extreme heat, unpredictable rainfall, floods in some regions, crop failures, water shortages, and food insecurity across many countries.

History has shown that when El Niño strikes, millions of people are affected. Farmers lose crops, livestock suffer from a lack of water and pasture, food prices rise, and many families struggle to access enough food. Those who prepare early are often able to reduce the impact.

What should people do now?

1. Don't depend on rain-fed farming alone.
If possible, invest in irrigation, water harvesting, or other reliable sources of water to keep food production going even during dry periods.

2. Grow climate-resilient crops.
Choose drought-tolerant and early-maturing varieties that can survive harsh weather conditions.

3. Diversify your farming.
Avoid relying on a single crop. Growing different crops and raising livestock can reduce the risk of total loss.

4. Store food while it is still affordable and available.
If your family has the means, gradually build a reserve of staple foods before shortages push prices higher.

5. Protect your harvest.
Use proper storage methods to reduce losses caused by pests, moisture, and spoilage. Every bag saved is food secured for the future.

6. Avoid selling all your produce immediately after harvest.
Keep enough food to feed your household until the next successful harvest.

7. Save water whenever possible.
Harvest rainwater, repair leaks, and use water efficiently in homes and on farms.

8. Stay informed.
Follow weather forecasts and advice from agricultural and climate experts. Early information allows people to make better decisions.

Lessons from past El Niño events

Previous El Niño seasons have taught the world a simple but powerful lesson: those who prepare early recover faster. Families that stored food, conserved water, diversified their income, and adapted their farming practices were far more resilient than those who waited until the crisis had already begun.

Climate change is making extreme weather more frequent and intense. Preparation is no longer optional—it is essential.

The best time to prepare is before the next disaster, not after it. Food security begins with planning, wise decisions, and taking action today.