Cornwell Imani from Lifuwu Rice Research Station in Salima says farmers in the districts of Nkhotakota, Salima and Zomba will be the most affected in harvest as they experienced drought and heavy rains.

Imani says the late onset of rains the country experienced this year has affected rice farming schemes as most farmers had to replant their crops with most fields already dry and others flooded with water.

"This year, the country will have low yields in rice. If you visit most rice schemes countrywide, especially in Zomba, Salima and Nkhotakota you will see that farmers have lost a lot this year," said Imani.

An agriculture expert, Tamani Nkhono Mvula has called for an intensified investment on agriculture research and technology if agriculture production is to be maintained.

He says the country should promote rice varieties that can withstand effects of climate change.

"We are going to continue to experience these climate change effects but what we have to do is to adapt and find better ways to grow our crops. Farmers should grow rice varieties that go against climate change, and we will be able to win this battle," said Mvula.