Africa-Press – Malawi. The Tobacco Commission says it will assess the damage that has been caused by the hailstorm that affected Chamama Extension Planning Area in the district last week. Preliminary reports show that 1,000 hectares of crops have been damaged including tobacco fields.
“We are assessing the damage, but it must be pointed out that some of the tobacco farmers insured their crop. For the tobacco crop that is not insured then, there is nothing that can be done, unfortunately,” the Commission’s Chief Executive Officer Joseph Chidanti Malunga said.
Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale said officers from the Agriculture Development Division that covers the area and the district council in collaboration with disaster management office are doing the assessment of the damage.
“The ministry has to come up with strategies on how to assist the affected households since rain is still falling,” Kawale said.
He said one response would be to mobilise materials for crops such as sweet potato vines and cassava cuttings that can be planted at this time and still enable farmers to harvest enough.
Kasungu District Commissioner, James Kanyangalazi, disclosed this week that over 130 households have lost their fields and are in need of urgent support.
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