By Zenak Matekenya
Dedza, November 27, Mana: Communities under Group Village Head Nyanga, Traditional Authority (TA) Kaphuka in Dedza have successfully mitigated the impact of the 2023/2024 drought through innovative grain banking and modern farming initiatives.
On Wednesday, over 40 households from the community benefited from the grain bank initiative, receiving three bags of maize, 15 kilogrammes of beans, and K20, 000 each.
Group Village Head Nyanga, the brainchild behind the initiative, said: "Our grain bank, established in 2010, has been instrumental in helping our community combat hunger and poverty."
Nyanga said the initiatives began as a village bank before evolving to incorporate maize and bean farming to enhance its impact.
“After fulfilling our household needs, we started lending excess produce to neighboring villages at a reasonable interest rate.
“This year we have amassed 600 bags of maize, 40 bags of beans, and a significant cash reserve. We are distributing these resources among our members and extending loans to those in need,” he said.
He said Self Help Africa supported the initiative with goats, fertilizer, fruits seedlings and conservation agriculture skills.
Eveta Gibsion, 76, said prior to the initiative she struggled to make ends meet surviving on piece works and charitable donations.
She said despite losing her husband, the initiative has stepped in to fill the gap and is able to provide for her seven grandchildren.
Self Help Africa Sustainable Production, Economic Growth Accountability and Resilience Programme Coordinator, Bulton Mwale, said the grain bank has helped communities to properly manage their farm produce.
“Nyanga Grain Bank is in line with the concept of Self Help Africa of community grain bank where people need to bring their harvest at one place during harvest so that during the lean season they are able to share out,” he said.
He said the initiative is in line with Malawi 2063, which promotes availability of food at household.
He commended collaboration between the community and leaders saying it has led to success of the initiative.
