Agriculture authorities in  Neno District have tipped farmers in the district to venture into agriculture commercialisation and value addiction if they are to be competitive on the market and maximize profits from their produce.

Neno District Council Director of Planning and Development Charles Lomoni said this over the weekend during the district's Agriculture Fair that brought together farmers, agro-dealers, off takers and district agriculture partners.

Lomon told the farmers to prioritize crop diversification, value addition while ensuring that they depart from relying on rain fed agriculture if they want to become successful in farming.

"They must start irrigation and brand well their products so that they look appealing on the market and fetch better prices.

An avoidance on activities that damage the environment like wanton cutting down of trees amid climate change shocks that have affected farming is also good move in profitable agribusiness," said Lomoni.

The DPD, however, said road network, lack of farmers knowledge of the council's Trade Office and farm mechanisation are some of the hindrances to farming in the district apart from the shocks of climate change like dry spells.

A Farmer from the area of Sub-Traditional Chikalema, Willard Mapepa who show cased his products like onions, vegetables and poultry, said agriculture fairs are crucial as they enable the farmers to exchange agriculture knowledge and link to potential markets.

He however, encouraged his fellow farmers to prioritize agriculture fair attendance saying in togetherness there is power to change the narrative of Neno farming since they rub shoulders with potential off-takers.

Neno District Chief Agriculture Officer Upe Museko called on farmers and the general public to devise sustainable means of improving farming and its productivity noting that dry spells since 2020 have affected farming negatively, with over eighty one thousand farming households being at risk of hunger in the district.

In in his welcoming remarks, Sub-Traditional Authority Chikalema, in whose area the event took place, urged the farmers to adopt modern technologies in farming to maximize their production while asking people to desist from opening farms in protected areas.

He said " I am worried with the continued encroachment of Nkanya forest reserve by people who are resisting our by-laws, prohibiting them from opening farms in this Forest is being a nightmare, I ask for forestry authority's immediate intervention before we loss the last tree."

Neno District Civil Society Organizations Network chairperson Russel Msiska conquered with the Sub-T/A saying careless cutting down of trees without replanting is a catalyst for climate change that has affected farming output hence calling for strict measures to ensured that dry spells are being mitigated in the district.

Farmers at the show, mounted pavilions to showcase quality tomato's, sugarcanes, rabbits, chicken, honey, opinion,access to banks, pesticides and fertilizers, vegetables, quails production, among other products.

The fair was themed "Towards Commercialization and Economic Transformation through Smart and Sustainable Agriculture Systems."

Traditional dances spiced up the colorful event.