By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, May 25, Mana: Over 300 farmers under Kasangazi Irrigation Scheme in Traditional Authority (TA) Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba have expressed hope that they would not be affected much by food shortages caused by effects of El Nino induced floods and drought.  

The farmers expressed the sentiments on Friday during a visit to the scheme by Zambian High Commissioner to Malawi, Panji Kaunda.

In an interview, Chairperson for the Scheme, Chindongo Chirwa said as farmers they take irrigation farming seriously to escape hunger and make money.

 ‘‘We don’t depend on rain fed agriculture. We have Kasangazi Dam nearby, constructed with funding from the World Bank through the Malawi Drought Recovery and Resilience Project.

“There is water flowing all year round which we use to irrigate our crops in the fields. Irrigation farming enables us harvest twice a year so we don’t have to fear hunger here,’’ he said.

Chirwa said they cultivate maize, tomato, garlic, potatoes, cabbage and beans on 45 hectares of the 100 hectare available.

Kaunda urged the farmers to take irrigation farming seriously to escape hunger caused by erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change.

 ‘‘Both Malawi and Zambia have this year been hit hard by climate change elements which have resulted in poor rainfall and eventually affecting yields. I encourage you to continue irrigation farming for you and your families not to face hunger,’’ he said.

Kaunda, son to former Zambian President late Kenneth Kaunda said realising the critical role of farmers in contributing to food security, he decided to visit them to learn how they are harnessing the Kasangazi Dam to grow various crops.

He said issues of climate change should jostle farmers into venturing into irrigation farming as rainfall patterns have become so unpredictable to depend on rain fed agriculture.

One of the farmers, Timve Chunga from Kaipere Village under Group Village headman Mejere Sibande bemoaned rampant fall army worms which he said have affected part of the scheme.

‘‘We appeal to authorities to help us deal with fall army worms. We sometimes apply pesticides but they still do not work. Just recently we harvested over 300 bags, we would have harvested over 800 bags if it were not for these destructive army fall worms,’’ he said.

Chief Irrigation Officer for Mzimba, Silence Chirambo said farmers should seek support from the agriculture office on such emergencies.

He said by seeking advice from agriculture extension officers the farmers would be able to buy right pesticides used to fight off army fall worms.