Zambia High Commissioner commends Malawi for utilizing irrigation farming

Chiradzulu, September 23, Mana: Zambia High Commissioner to Malawi, retired Lieutenant Colonel Panji Kaunda, has lauded the Malawian government for utilizing its natural water resources to combat hunger and poverty through irrigation farming.

Kaunda made the remarks over the weekend during a visit to Natama Irrigation Scheme under Traditional Authority Msema in Chiradzulu District.

He said he was impressed with how the irrigation scheme is benefiting many households and improving their livelihoods.

"The aim of this visit was to learn how Malawi has been alleviating poverty and from the testimonies we have heard from the farmers, there is no hunger and poverty among the households at this scheme.

"They are able to take their children to school and even purchase motorbikes for themselves. This means poverty is being alleviated," he said.

The High Commissioner then hailed government for promoting small-scale irrigation schemes, saying such projects directly empower households.

"In Zambia, we have many big rivers but no such schemes like we are seeing here in Malawi. We need to bring technical experts to learn from this so that we can emulate to help our people.

"As Africans, we have the land and waters to produce food for ourselves, so why should we be importing from other continents?" he questioned, while emphasizing the need for other countries to adopt what Malawi is doing.

However, Kaunda noted that many farmers were using chemical manure and therefore urged them to adopt organic manure, saying such fertilizers could damage soil quality.

"We have seen some farmers burning crop residues that could otherwise be used to improve soil fertility. The agriculture department must emphasize organic methods," he advised.

Chiradzulu District Council Irrigation Engineer, Julia Qoto, expressed gratitude for the High Commissioner's visit, saying it will encourage the farmers.

"He has also offered valuable advice, which we hope our farmers will implement to enhance irrigation farming at the scheme," Qoto said.

Senior Chief Msema echoed the sentiments, said the irrigation scheme has been instrumental in promoting food security and education in his area as farmers utilizing the scheme can now provide for their families and affords to send their children to school.

Waliwoni Biliwita, Chairperson of the Natama Irrigation Scheme, stated that the initiative supports 73 households, including 38 women, 32 men, and three youths.

"Last year together we realized about K17 million from the sales of our produce but we were only 45 households who planted. This time around we are hoping of harvesting more as the number of farmers has increased to 73," he said.

Natama Irrigation Scheme was first constructed in 2006 by World Vision Malawi and later renovated by Save the Children. In 2015, the scheme was destroyed by floods but was rebuilt and expanded from four to 25 hectares in 2019 under the government’s World Bank-funded Malawi Drought Resilience and Recovery Programme (MDRRP).