MANAonline
Beneficiaries describe AIP as a transformative opportunity
By Gift Chiponde and Paul Madise
Lilongwe, November 24, Mana: Beneficiaries of the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) in Nathenje and Nanjiri, Lilongwe, have described the implementation of the 2024/205 AIP as a transformative opportunity for their community, particularly in terms of food security and improved livelihoods.
This development coincides with the government’s nationwide rollout of the AIP, which aims to support a large number of beneficiaries and enhance productivity among smallholder farmers across the country.
Stephano Kachelenga, a beneficiary from Makhwa Village in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kalumba, expressed gratitude for being included in this year's AIP.
He stated that during previous growing seasons, he was relying on organic fertilizers, and that participation in the AIP will enable him to create a self-reliant home and increase his productivity.
"I am very certain that if we experience favourable rainfall patterns, I will achieve a bumper harvest," Kachelenga said. "This is my first time being part of the AIP beneficiaries, and I am grateful that the government has considered me for this initiative."
Kachelenga encouraged AIP beneficiaries to use the inputs provided for their intended purpose, emphasizing the importance of improving food security, increasing production, and fostering self-reliant households, both at the family level and within the community.
In her remarks, Daleni Chiseka from Njole Village, T/A Kalumba, speaking at the Nanjiri depot, also expressed satisfaction with the AIP implementation.
She is optimistic that the distribution will yield positive results, as many people in the area are active farmers.
Mathews Laurent Phiri, a sales clerk at Nathenje depot, provided an overview of the AIP proceedings, stating that since the programme commenced, they have been able to sell inputs due to the discipline exhibited by community members.
He stressed that the sales team is committed to ensuring all AIP protocols are followed and that every beneficiary has access to the inputs during selling hours.
"This season, we are making sure that every AIP beneficiary has access to all farm inputs. Currently, we do assist over 100 beneficiaries daily through Village Development Committees (VDCs)," he added.
MACRA warns learners against cyberbullying
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, November 24, Mana: Consumer Affairs Officer for Malawi Communications and Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Patience Nkombezi has warned students against acts of cyberbullying, saying they are punishable under the laws of the country.
Nkombezi said this on Saturday at Kamuzu Academy in Kasungu District during an awareness and sensitization of teachers and learners on cybercrimes and the laws that the country enacted against cyber violence.
"Much as we know that cyberspace is beneficial to our modern life as it provides a vast amount of information, some people misuse it to commit crimes against others. As MACRA, we thought it wise to sensitize learners about the dangers of violating other people's human rights using the space.
"We commemorate cyber security in October but we are doing it in November and that is why we are here. Students like these and those in other high schools are exposed to the internet and they might be prone to cybercrimes if they do not have the right information to guide them," Nkombezi said.
She said besides enlightening the students about the dangers of cyberbullying, MACRA also wanted to notify them about the online child protection strategy that Malawi as a nation has put in place.
"We want the students to act responsibly whenever they are online. Most of them conduct their lessons online and we do not want them to indulge in sharing of content that contravenes the law," Nkombezi said, adding that despite sensitizations against cybercrimes through the media, there are still gaps because cybercrime is on the rise amongst the youth.
Senior House Master for Kamuzu Academy, Felix Limburo said the awareness that MACRA provided to the learners was timely in the sense that most of them use gadgets that use cyberspace.
"Most of our learners here use advanced gadgets and the awareness is paramount because it will enable them to stay away from cyberbullying. It might be that some of them have been ignorantly committing the crimes and the orientation will enable them to act more responsibly than before," Limburo said.
On his part, one of the learners, Wanga Chitete expressed gratitude to MACRA for the orientation saying it is a good guide for responsible conduct when online.
Malawi enacted the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act in 2016 and the law criminalizes cyberbullying, and child pornography among other acts.
Caregivers drilled in child rights and protection
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, November 24, Mana: Child Protection Officer under Kasungu District Social Welfare Office, Sam Kamalonda has challenged foster parents to ensure that the orphaned children that they keep are properly protected from abuses and integrated into society.
Kamalonda said this in Kasungu on Saturday during a training for foster parents who are keeping orphaned children that were at the now-closed Anglican Community orphanage at Mtunthama in the district.
The orphanage was closed following the government’s campaign that the country move away from the institutional care model of supporting orphans to family or community-based care approaches where children grow in their home environment.
Said Kamalonda: “Many people are not aware of child rights. In this case, these parents are keeping children who were in an orphanage and they may look at them as a burden and end up abusing them.
“This is the right time to train them on relevant aspects of child rights and protection so that we help to guard against abuses towards the children and ensure a smooth integration of the children into the larger community.”
He said government is encouraging foster parenting hence, it is important that the parents are prepared to keep the orphaned children in a manner that does not expose them to harm.
Medicom Foundation, a Kasungu-based non-governmental organization organized the training, which also touched on modern agricultural practices for sustainable livelihood.
The organization’s management consultant, Kingsley Lupande, said children are well taken care of when they are in their homes, families and communities, which ensures a good psychological bond between the children, the family and the community.
“We believe that’s the way to go, moving away from the institutional care model of supporting orphans to family or community-based care model. Our focus is to help communities to succeed with limited resources available.
“Here we have also trained the caregivers on sustainable farming practices including manure making, so that they stand on their own and we hope that gradually we will reduce their dependence on artificial fertilizers,” Lupande said.
To further support them, Medicom Foundation donated maize seeds and will provide fertilizer and cash transfers so that families can meet immediate food needs.
Levison Phiri, a parent from Traditional Authority Kapelula expressed gratitude for the training and the support.
“I keep 12 children, some my own, others orphans. I thought I had a huge burden but with this training, I see it differently,” he said.
With financial support from Medic Malawi, a United Kingdom-based charity, Medicom Foundation works in health, education and sustainable community development.
Red Cross office opening in Mchinji excites youths
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, November 24, Mana: Youth in Mchinji have received a significant boost in their efforts to organize and coordinate activities following the opening of Mchinji Division Youth office by the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) on Saturday.
The development comes as a relief for the Red Cross district’s youths, who have long struggled to find a permanent space for meetings and operational coordination.
Speaking during the official opening ceremony, Danny Nihongo, Chairperson for Malawi Red Cross Society Mchinji Youth Division, expressed gratitude for the new facility, highlighting its importance in empowering young people and fostering community development.
“This office space is not just a building but a platform for the youth to connect, share ideas, and build a better future for Mchinji. We used to struggle to find a place where we could meet as youths, but now we have this space," said Nihongo.
The ceremony was attended by Mchinji District Commissioner Lucia Chidalengwa, Traditional Authority Zulu’s representative, and IFRC National Society Development Coordinator Shereen Francis, among other dignitaries.
In her remarks, Francis emphasized the importance of empowering young people to maximize their impact on the community.
“The youth are not only the future but also the leaders of today. It is crucial to invest in them because if we do not plant good seeds today, we will not reap a good harvest tomorrow,” she said.
District Commissioner Chidalengwa described the office as a milestone for Mchinji, saying it provides a much-needed facility for youth operations.
“The youth have many activities in their work plan, and there was a need for them to have this office. They are a crucial part of our community, often supporting us in various activities,” said Chidalengwa.
The new office will serve as a hub for coordinating youth-led initiatives while also providing an opportunity for income generation through renting out office spaces and the hall.
Water Mission commissions MK170 million reticulated solar powered piped water project in Ntcheu
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, November 23, Mana: Water Mission on Thursday commissioned a MK 170 million reticulated solar powered piped water project in the area of Traditional Authority Chakhumbira in Ntcheu district.
Water Mission Country Director Nixon Sinyiza said his organization sole purpose is to provide sustainable access to safe and portable water to communities in need by installing water treatment systems and basic distribution networks.
"With funding from McKinnon family of the United States of America, Water Mission has installed a reticulated solar powered safe water system at Chugodi health facility which is anticipated to serve a population of 2000 people," said Sinyiza.
He disclosed that his organisation has installed 85 water systems across Malawi in the last ten years benefiting around 600,000 Malawians.
Sinyiza advised all stakeholders to take ownership of the systems and to take good care of the systems.
Traditional Authority Chakhumbira admitted that water is one of the major challenges in his area and hailed the development which he described as timely.
"Since this is rainy season, we expect this development to reduce water related diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea in my area," said Chakhumbira and assured all stakeholders that the systems will be properly looked after.
Chigodi Health facility-in-Charge Kondwani Chitungu said the development is a sigh of relief for the facility which has over 18,000 people.
"Water is very crucial in our operations, this is a very commendable development which will reduce cases of water related diseases that are reported at Chigodi health center," said Chitungu and urged Water Mission to extend the system to other areas.
Chigodi health center, Chigodi primary school and Kalaka Day Secondary School are among the beneficiaries of the McKinnon initiative in the district.
Security firm gives Chiwale Secondary students a K2.3m bail out
By Wellington Sibale
Neno, November 23, Mana: Atlanto Security Services has stepped in to rescue 15 needy students at Chiwale Secondary School in Neno District by covering their school fees, examination fees and arrears amounting to K 2.3 million in a bid to improve education access in the district.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Friday, Atlanto Security Chief Executive Officer Michael Kampani said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to giving back to the community.
Kampani, an alumnus of the school, emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by students from underprivileged backgrounds.
"We learned about the struggles these students face through the Neno Patriotic Citizens forum, where I am a member. As someone who hails from this area and this school, I felt compelled to act. Together with my company, we sought to ease the burdens these students are enduring," he explained.
K2.3 million donation is meant to cover term one-school fees, examination fees for candidates and arrears from the previous year. However, Kampani revealed that the company has committed to supporting three of the students for the entire academic year.
"After hearing their stories, we decided to extend our support. Beyond this academic year, we’ll evaluate how we can continue assisting," Kampani added.
He also called on other well-wishers, businesses and politicians to contribute towards supporting vulnerable students in the district.
Chiwale Secondary School head teacher, Wexter Zingwangwa, lauded Atlanto Security for their generosity, noting that many students had been struggling to stay in school due to extreme poverty.
"This support is a game-changer, especially for girls in boarding who couldn’t afford the K150, 000 boarding fee. These students now have a chance to fully focus on their studies," said Zingwangwa.
One of the beneficiaries, Form 2 student Epithenia Govas, expressed her gratitude, explaining how the donation would transform their educational experience.
"Since I started here, I’ve never been able to pay my fees because those I live with cannot afford it. This donation will allow us to concentrate on our education and improve our performance," she said.
Feature: Smallholder farmers get climate smarter with E-PICSA
By Kondwani Magombo
Lilongwe, November 23, Mana: Although the 2023/24 growing season was the worst season in most parts of Malawi due to El Nino weather conditions, Edrina Kenamu from Salima had a different story to tell.
Kenamu, together with her family comprising husband and five children, hails from Kandusiwa Village, Group Village Head Mtende, Traditional Authority Pemba in the district.
In the said lean year, the family broke a record by harvesting more than their sizeable family needed for food in a year.
“From our two-and-a-half-acre maize field, we harvested 36 bags of maize, each weighing 50kg,” explained Edrina Kenamu. “Of course, it was not what one would get from a field of that size under normal circumstances, but given the adverse weather patterns, a harvest of 36 bags was a big kill,” she, quickly, added.
Previously, the Kenamu family could harvest between 10 and 15 bags of maize from the same piece of land as the rains hadn’t been that good over the past years.
The 2023/24 growing season ‘bumper harvest miracle’ did not occur to the Kenamu household alone: many a family in Katelera Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Salima tasted it despite the harsh weather conditions.
The trick lied in a new tactic called Participatory Integrated Climate Services for Agriculture (PICSA), a farmer-centric climate service and agricultural extension approach that helps farmers understand climate change and variability, for them to make informed decisions.
PICSA outlines a set of steps to be undertaken by smallholder farmers, supporting them in making own decisions and planning what is best for their individual farms, for improved yields, food security, incomes, and resilience.
Put in broader terms, PICSA emphasizes that each farmer’s situation is unique, and options should be tailored according to their biophysical and socioeconomic context.
Unlike traditional climate information services (CIS), PICSA uses historical climate data (often spanning 30 years or more) to jointly analyze trends with farmers, and develop adaptable strategies well before the season begins.
By incorporating historical data, PICSA improves farmers' understanding of climate variability, and allows them to assess risks, such as rainfall amounts and dry spells, with more relevant and quantitative insights.
Additionally, PICSA supports the interpretation of Seasonal Climate Forecasts (SCF), providing locally precise and meaningful data, helping farmers plan more effectively for the season ahead by considering both climate and local resource.
Thus for the 2023/24 growing season, PICSA helped Kenamu, and many other farmers under Katelera EPA, understand climate variabilities for their area, prompting them to make the right decision on how to go about their farming that growing season.
“After thorough analysis of the available information regarding historical climate data and seasonal climate forecasts for our area, it became evident that we would have less rains in the growing season,” explained Kenamu.
She continued: “With that information, I knew that I did not only need to plant early-maturing maize variety, but I needed to make box ridges, also, to trap and conserve the little rain water that could be there.”
With her family’s limited income, Kenamu also knew that use of compost fertilizer (Mbeya) would be ideal – not only because of its affordability, but also because of the fertilizer’s ability to preserve moisture.
Initially, PICSA was paper-based whereby, small holder farmers were trained – using a manual book and flipcharts – to understand climate change and rain patterns in their respective areas so as to determine what crop(s) to grow to realize bumper yields.
But presently, a digital version of PICSA, E-PICSA, has been developed, replacing the paper-based innovation, and smallholder farmers like Kenamu are catching up fast with the new tool.
According to Geoffrey Chilombo, Senior Agriculture Communication Officer and Coordinator for Climate and Weather Projects in the Department of Agriculture Extension Services (DAES), the application was developed by University of Reading under the Department’s project with GIZ.
The project is being implemented in Kasungu and Nkhotakota, in Malawi, and in Petauke and Chipata, in Zambia.
“Following successful implementation of the project from 2012 to 2014, UNDP asked the DAES to orient extension workers and farmers in Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Dedza, Salima, Lilongwe, Dowa and Nkhata-Bay, the 7 districts where the Department was implementing M-CLIMES with UNDP from 2017 to June 2024,” explained Chilombo.
E-PICSA application is freely installed in android smartphones, and it comprises an automated system for National Meteorological Services (NMS) that provides quality-checked, locally-specific, historical rainfall and temperature data, and location-specific season and short-term forecast.
“With paper based PICSA, farmers were finding it difficult to calculate probabilities of rains and temperature, as well as coming up with participatory budgets,” explained Chilombo, adding: “On the other hand, with E-PICSA, all a farmer has to do is to command the application on the smart phone and get the calculations.”
The evolution in understanding climatic changes and rains pattern to determine what crop to grow, and when to grow it, has not only excited the smallholder farmers: it has also left them certain of their food security, following accurate predictions they make through E-PICSA technology.
“We are very excited to use our phones beyond making calls, surfing the internet and social media platforms,” explained Kenamu, the happy lead farmer of Katelera EPA in Salima. “The E-PICSA application is user-friendly, with videos for maps, calendar and many extension materials.”
DAES is training lead farmers like Kenamu in the project districts through EPAs on the use of the technology for them (lead farmers) to train more smallholder farmers on the same for meaningful yields.
According to Katelera EPA Agriculture Extension Development Coordinator (AEDC), Lucern Nkanamwali, 2,375 farmers were oriented in the PICSA approach and recently, up to 40 lead farmers have been trained to orient yet more farmers on E-PICSA.
“We expect that the 40 lead farmers will each train 25 farmers who will also train others, in turn, and our target is to reach 15,000 smallholder farmers with the modern tool,” explained Nkanamwali.
He hailed the innovation, saying farmers are now able to interpret weather forecasts in relation to their area and choose what crop to cultivate, or what animal to rear.
“The farmers are equipped with technical knowledge: say, if the weather forecast says the area will receive little rains and they want to grow maize, they will go for a variety that matures early, and apply all the necessary practices in line with the learned forecast,” he added.
Nkanamwali’s observation is also shared by Isaiah Julius, Agriculture Extension Development Officer (AEDO) for Lobi EPA in Dedza, where over 34 lead farmers have been trained on the use of E-PICSA for them to train others, too, until a target of 10,000 smallholder farmers is reached.
“When we were using hardcopy books and flipcharts, it was not easy for the farmers to understand probability as they had to draw a graph, count months and calculate the probability,” explained Julius.
He added: “But E-PICSA has simplified everything as it does all the calculations for rains probability, temperatures and participatory budget.”
The E-PICSA evolution is catching on turning more smallholder farmers with smartphones in the project areas into local weather scientists and precise interpreters of forecasts for meaningful and productive agricultural decisions.
VP encourages people to go and register
By Benedicto Maguda
Blantyre, November 23, Mana: Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi on Friday participated in voter registration at Namatete Primary School in Blantyre.
Speaking after he registered, Usi expressed joy to have registered on the last day of the second phase of voter registration.
“As a citizen of the Republic of Malawi, it is my democratic right to vote that is why I came to register to exercise this right. I had to register to contribute to the choice of selection of the presidency and other office bearers of the Republic of Malawi,” he said.
Usi urged all Malawians to register so that they can vote in the forthcoming elections despite all challenges they are facing.
However, Usi is in support of the extension of voter registration as it is evident that many Malawians were in long queues in many registration centre and other centres around the city of Blantyre.
“I would agree of this suggestion from what I have seen here there is a big number that has not registered but they would like to register and there were some challenges; therefore, it is not right to live them out. Personally, registration extension is legit, so people should not be negligent,” he said.
Councilor for Chirimba Ward, Dingani Chiwondo, encouraged residents of Chirimba Township to take an example from the Vice President by registering to vote in next year’s election.
“A true citizen of the country must be involved in political participation which leads to development in the country,” he said.
NDIZOYNET to clean health centres in Ndirande
By Agatha Kadzinje
Blantyre, November 23, Mana: Ndirande Zone Youth Network (NDIZOYNET) has organized a clean-up exercise at Malabada and Ndirande health centres scheduled for November 29, 2024.
The initiative will be done under the theme: Empowering Youth, Cleaning Health Centres, and Brightening Futures through Quality Care.
NDIZOYNET Chairperson, Amos Brownd, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Friday, that the exercise aims at promoting youth’s involvement in issues of hygiene in Ndirande’s public places.
Brownd encouraged youth to take active roles in maintaining cleanliness in their respective communities.
“NDIZOYNET cleaned Ndirande Main Market two months ago and it is now our mission to clean public spaces across Ndirande,” he said.
He, therefore, encouraged youths that are not yet affiliated to the network to join the exercise to promote hygiene at the two health centres.
“This initiative will not only include cleaning but also engagement programmes to educate participants on various aspects of hygiene, including personal and home hygiene,” he added.
Brownd called on well-wishers to support the event by providing cleaning materials such as brooms, shovels, hoes, wheelbarrows, and other tools.
He acknowledged the collaboration between NDIZOYNET and Blantyre District Council, Youth Office, saying the collaboration has been commendable and source of inspiration to the network’s activities.
Founded in 2015 as a network of youth clubs in Ndirande, NDIZOYNET has consistently been organizing clean up exercises in the area.
NDIZOYNET also works with Concerned Youth Organization (CYO) in a number of youth programmes.
CYO Executive Director, Harvey Chimaliro, told MANA that the organization empowers the youth to participate in community activities.
CYO has supported the exercise at Malabada and Ndirande health facilities with 100 brooms, masks and gloves.
Chimaliro expressed hope that the initiative will motivate young people to take ownership of their surroundings and take lead in ensuring their communities are clean thereby fostering a sense of responsibility.
CYO is implementing a project called, Sustainable Future: Youth Empowering Youth in Climate Resilience and Livelihoods, which engages youths in Ndirande and surrounding areas to promote waste management.
“One of the focus areas of the project is to encourage young people to get involved in waste management, ensuring that their communities are clean and well-maintained,” he said.
Chimaliro called upon the youth in Blantyre district and other stakeholders to support Ndirande youths by participating in the exercise.
Blantyre District Council in collaboration with Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) partners also conducted a cleaning exercise on November 1, 2024 at Lunzu in the district to promote hygiene in the district.
SMEDI calls upon Thyolo SMEs, firms to apply for capacity development training
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, November 23, Mana: Small and Medium Enterprise Development Institute (SMEDI), through the Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP), has encouraged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Thyolo District to apply for capacity training meant to increase knowledge and skills in entrepreneurship.
Speaking Friday during a stakeholder engagement meeting, SMEDI Public Relations Officer, Patrick Zgambo, said the trainings are designed to ensure that firms and SMEs in 11 districts are better connected to rail way connected enterprises.
According to Zgambo, the connectivity will ensure effective export trade.
“Successful applicants will undergo two-weeks training. In Thyolo, six enterprises will be selected, and at least five people from each will be trained.
“The program will enhance SMEs’ knowledge of quality standards, strengthen their understanding of import and export procedures, and provide digital marketing skills to help them excel in cross border trade,” he said.
Zgambo said the training will also provide knowledge in contract management and quality standards compliance, among other areas.
Thyolo District Agribusiness Officer, Jollam Jester, commended the initiative, observing that it will boost cross-border trade and at the same time promote high quality export products.
“This is a great opportunity for firms to gain knowledge and skills. I urge them to apply for the training.
“Application forms can be accessed online, at the Agribusiness Office or the District Youth Office,” he said.
According to SMEDI, the application window will run from December 2 to December 16 2024, and the training is scheduled to commence on January 13, 2025.
SATCP, implemented by the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, is funded by the World Bank and operates in 15 districts across Malawi.
