Government has commended farmers in Chadiza for recording an increase in crop performance despite the district recording below normal rainfall.
Chadiza District Commissioner George Phiri says the maize production for the 2015/2016 farming season has increased by 1,881 metric tonnes, which translates to 7 per cent increase.
He says the district has this year produced a total of 28,850 metric tonnes compared to last season when it recorded a crop yield of 26,969 metric tonnes.
And Mr. Phiri says that government increased the number of FISP, Farmer Input Support Programme beneficiaries in the district from 20,448 in 2014/2015 farming season to 21,758 in the 2015/2016 farming season.
He says that this implies that there was an increase in the number of small scale famers who cultivated and benefited from the 14,710 maize seed packs government issued out.
The District Commissioner urged farmers to graduate from small scale farming to emergent and commercial farming.
He said farmers should invest in proven agricultural techniques that are more reliable and profitable.
Mr. Phiri was speaking over the weekend during the District Agriculture Show.