By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, May 21, Mana: The Zambia High Commissioner to Malawi, retired Lieutenant Colonel Panji Kaunda, has hailed Malawi Government for implementing irrigation scheme initiatives to enhance food security and economic growth for the country.

High Commissioner Kaunda was speaking Tuesday when he toured Linga Irrigation Scheme in the area of Senior Chief Fukamapiri in Nkhata Bay.

"We have heard so much about the successes of the irrigation schemes which Malawi Government has established across the country.

“Due to drought which has affected both our governments, we are emphasizing irrigation farming for small scale farmers, hence our coming to learn how you are doing it so that we replicate the same in Zambia,” said Kaunda.

He said that he was inspired by the fact that Linga Irrigation Scheme is community-led as it is being managed by local communities, a strategy which he said is key for sustainability of such interventions.

"Youths are benefiting through value addition of agricultural products from the scheme, hence creating employment opportunities for young people. This is worth emulating," he added.

Kaunda then said it is a shame for the two countries to be experiencing hunger due to over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture despite availability of fertile soils and adequate water.

He therefore urged the two governments to promote modern and mechanized agriculture systems by, among others, investing in solar powered irrigation.

Project Coordinator for Agriculture Infrastructure and Youth in Agribusiness, Tikho Msimuko Mpezeni, said Kaunda’s visit to the scheme was encouraging, as it indicates significance of irrigation farming initiatives not only in the country but across the borders.

"Let me urge young people to be proactive and utilize the scheme through its youth empowerment component, which provides training in agribusiness.

“I also call for more farmers to join the scheme which has 1,000 hectares of irrigable land but only 450 hectares are utilized,” said Mpezeni.

Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources for Nkhata Bay District Council, Raphael Mkisi, said the High Commissioner’s tour to the scheme is an indication that the initiative’s fruits are out to the world, thereby contributing to realization of increased agriculture productivity and commercialization which is in line with Malawi 2063.

One of the farmers, Kudzaye Chirwa, said the visit has encouraged them to invest in irrigation farming cooperatives to maximize profits.

Linga Irrigation Dam, which provides water to the scheme, was commissioned in September 2023 by President Lazarus Chakwera and has the capacity of 14 million cubic metres.