By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, October 30, Mana: Mpoya -Mdere Rice Scheme farmers in Machinga toured Mua irrigation scheme in Nkhotakota to learn scheme management and other best agricultural practices to turn the Machinga scheme into an agribusiness thing.

Mpoya-Mdere scheme farmer, Agnes Sifa said the tour to Nkhotakota was ideal adding that apart from learning irrigation farming in general, she and the rest of the farmers learnt financial management.

Sifa who is also board of trustee chairperson added that Mpoya Mdere scheme has challenges in managing finances, which prevents the scheme from doing farming as business. 

Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Projects (MWASIP) facilitated the Nkhotakota learning tour, which also provided farmers opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience in rice irrigation farming.

“We also learnt how scheme management committee and board of trustee operate to ensure effective scheme management,” she said, adding that the visiting farmers also learnt effectiveness of Bua-Water Users Association (WUA).

She explained that introduction of membership fees and byelaws that govern the scheme were things Mpoya Mdere Scheme needed to emulate to ensure sustainability.

Agricultural Extension Development Officer (AEDO) for Ntubwi Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Machinga,  Kondwani Kadewere said was impressed that Machinga farmers learnt a lot from their Nkhotakota counterparts.

The AEDO expressed hope that the Machinga farmers will implement what they learnt from the experienced Bua farmers.

“This was a learning tour and l know that they have learnt a lot from fellow farmers in Nkhotakota that farming should be regarded as business,” he added.

President for Bua WUA, Alfred Chiweza hailed the World Bank funded MWASIP for facilitating the learning tour, saying this was also an experience sharing opportunity.

He therefore encouraged collaboration among the Mpoya-Mdere Scheme members and to put in place byelaws that should help to govern the scheme for better results.

A consultant working with MWASIP, Norius Kayira said Bua Irrigation Scheme was a better thing to learn from and expressed hope that the visiting Mpoya –Mdere farmers will implement what they learnt during the tour.

She added that collaboration and good financial management were key issues for successful agribusiness.    Bua Rice Irrigation Scheme has been operating since 1976.