By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, February 25, Mana: Government, through the Department of Disaster Management (DoDMA) on Saturday started distribution of maize flour assistance to 132,000 people in Dowa with a call for the country to do away with dependence on rain fed agriculture.

Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, made the remarks in Traditional Authority (TA) Msakambewa when he launched the exercise which aims to cushion persons facing food shortages from hunger during this year’s lean season.

The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) 2023 annual report projected over 4.4 million people to be food insecure during the 2023/2024 consumption year and recommended provision of food assistance to the affected population in 28 districts and four cities of the country.

Kawale said in response, government, through DoDMA and in collaboration with humanitarian partners, facilitated the development of the 2023/2024 LS-FIRP to mobilize resources and effectively coordinate the humanitarian programme to address needs of the people facing food insecurity.

“As the state president said, he will not let anyone die of hunger. As such we are commencing this exercise here in Dowa to reach out to the affected,” he said.

He said it is high time the country started relying hugely on irrigation agriculture.

Kawale said government is, for this reason, allocating a lot of resources towards the development of irrigation farming to, amongst other things, resuscitate irrigation schemes and create new ones.

“We also want you to start irrigation farming in areas where there is water and moisture all year round so that you may also be able to harvest two or three times a year. As government, we are evaluating on how best to help you on this,” he said.

DoDMA Director of Preparedness and Response, Reverend Moses Chimphepo, said around 29,333 households translating to around 132,000 people have been affected in Dowa.

“Beneficiaries are receiving a 50 kilogramme bag of maize flour. As a department, will make sure we reach out to everyone who is at risk of food shortage,” he said.

Chairperson for Dowa District Council, Mayamiko Kambewa, thanked government and all implementing partners for the timely intervention for those facing hunger in the district.

Group Village Head Thotho said, as traditional leaders in the district, they are ready to dedicate land to irrigation-based initiatives.