By alexander Tchongwe

Mzimba, November 27, Mana: Cooperative Development Foundation of Canada (CDF Canada) has announced the launch of a new project aimed at integrating aquaculture and agriculture to address food insecurity in Malawi.

Sponsored by the Government of Norway, the five-year initiative, running from 2024 to 2028, will target eight districts, including Mzimba, to promote sustainable economic and social development. 

Speaking in Mzimba on Wednesday, IAAM Specialist for CDF Canada, Tiwonge Soko Nyirenda, explained that the project focuses on creating a self-reliant system by integrating fish farming with other value chains. 

“The project integrates fish ponds with crops like rice, maize, yellow sweet potatoes, and fruit trees under agroforestry.

“This system allows farmers to use pond mud as fertilizer for vegetables and pond water for irrigating crops, minimizing the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Livestock, such as rabbits, are also incorporated, with rabbit urine used as an organic fertilizer and pesticide alternative,” Nyirenda said. 

According to Nyirenda, the project was inspired by the need to help farmers diversify their income sources, especially following recent challenges like Cyclones Freddy and Ana, which devastated fish farms. 

“Many farmers rely solely on fish farming, and when disasters like cyclones hit, their livelihoods are wiped out. This project introduces diversification, so farmers can turn to other income-generating activities, like livestock or sweet potato farming, if one enterprise is affected. This boosts nutrition and economic resilience,” Nyirenda said.  

Fisheries Officer for Mzimba South, Andrew Saukani, commended CDF Canada for the initiative, noting its potential to address key challenges faced by fish farmers. 

The K841.3 million project targets 1,528 individuals across Malawi, with 167 farmers in Mzimba from areas such as Eswazini, Kazomba, Manyamula, Mbalachanda, and Zombwe.