By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, February 20, Mana: Eagles Relief organization said it will embark on a new project called Drought Risk Financing to empower over 66,000 farmers affected by prolonged dry spells in Balaka District in the 2024/2025 farming season.

Eagles Relief Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator, Evelyn Mkandawire said on Wednesday at Balaka District Executive Committee meeting that Drought Risk Financing will provide farmers with drought resistance orange, sweet potato vines, cowpeas, tomatoes and onions among other vegetables.

She added that the initiative will benefit over 1,200 households in sub traditional authorities Toleza and Chimatiro in the district.

“Mostly, targeted beneficiaries will be households that have marginalized people including women, children and people living with disabilities.

“We are targeting sub traditional authorities Toleza and Chimatiro, based on the 2024 dry spells report from Balaka District Agriculture Office in December. Eagles Relief is implementing other related projects in the same areas and we believe this will provide a complimentary aspect to the existing initiatives,” she added.

She said the project will take onboard farmers that have access to land to equip them with agricultural practices to enable them produce enough food through revolving farming techniques.

Balaka District Crop Production Officer, Blazio Mphepo hailed Eagles Relief’s Drought Risk Financing, describing it, as timely intervention capable of covering over 31,000 hectares of land affected by dry spells in Balaka.

Eagles Relief will implement the Drought Risk Financing Project worthy over K139. million for five years, starting from 2025 and the first part will be a pilot.