By Emily M'mangisa

Zomba, March 19, Mana: Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Benedicto Chambo, has called on people at Chingale in Zomba to own development projects to ensure sustainability of such projects when they phase out.

Chambo made the call on Tuesday when he visited Mlooka Irrigation Scheme at Sub Traditional Authority Nkapita in Chingale where farmers grow rice and maize.

“Organizations come and go. What people should understand is that whatever has been invested will remain theirs for good. Therefore, taking good care of development initiative fosters meaningful development," he said.

He said government is committed to ensure food security at household level through promotion of good agricultural practices.

President of Water Users Association (WUA) for Mlooka Irrigation Scheme, Asante Ndomondo, said the Minister's call is in line with the communities’ vision to sustain the scheme through irrigation farming for agribusiness and food security.

"We used to depend on rain-fed agriculture but with irrigation, we are harvesting three times a year,” he said.

District Irrigation Officer for Zomba, Elason Musaiwa, said farmers within and around Mlooka Irrigation Scheme have shifted from food seekers to food providers as they expect to harvest over 365 tons of rice in the current growing season.

Mlooka Irrigation Scheme is sitting on 158 hectares of land and is benefiting thousands of people in Zomba, Machinga and surrounding districts.