The Divisional Delegate of Agriculture and Rural Development for Donga Mantung Division, Ncham George has declared that cycle maize farming is now a reality in Donga Mantung Division of the Northwest Region.

Talking to journalists after visiting the pilot farmers who benefitted from this innovative programme, Mr. Ncham George “the crops were doing very well”. He said 1 tonne of ATP Maize seed was distributed alongside inputs to ensure that the yields are good.

Even though the second cycle maize is new in Donga Mantung Mantung Division, the delegate of Agriculture however confirmed that prospects are high that it will go a long way to be an additional source of income to farmers. “Out of the 200 pilot farmers, only few farmers in Ako Sub Division recorded losses due to flood which caused some plants to develop maize strip virus”.

Harping on threats by farmers to spray their crops with insecticides to prevent stray animals, the delegate called on livestock farmers to control their animals. He used the opportunity to express gratitude to the mayors of Donga Mantung Division for taking the challenge to control stray animals. “I want to tell you that we cannot accept such practices, because I have seen situations where some farmers have incurred losses because of this problem.

I remember how a farmer sprayed his tomatoes with a very dangerous chemical and it killed some animals”. He advised that farmers should control their animals. He also added that this success story has ignited the delegation of Agriculture to increase its demand for maize seed from 1 tonne to 2 tonnes for the next planting season.

Ncham George also revealed that Donga Mantung is a blessed Division with a varied micro climate. “If you need the mid, low and high attitude they are all available.

For example, the mid areas like the Misaje, Sabongari and Mfumte areas offers opportunities for large scale farms of sugar cane, maize, groundnut, soybeans. In the low areas like Ako, there is available land and favourable climatic conditions for large cocoa and palm plantations as well as maize farms.

In the high attitudes of Nkambe and Ndu, the possibilities of establishing tea plantations like (CTE Ndu) are very favourable, Irish potatoes, beans and maize as well”. He lamented that even though the area is fertile for production people don't see these potentials. He is therefore calling on investors.

Both Robusta and Arabica coffee he added is doing well one of the main reasons why he is calling on investors to get into this area. “We can do plantations of palms, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane etc”. Even though Donga Mantung has all the potentials, youths rather travel out to work in plantations in some far off areas.

He concluded by stating that due to the fact that much has not been invested in the sector, any investor who would venture in this sector will make huge benefits given that, there is a ready market.