MANAonline
Kasungu farmers encouraged to use goat farming as a business
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, October 24, Mana: CML Farm Enterprise on Wednesday donated 240 goats to smallholder farming households at Katenje, Traditional Authority Santhe in Kasungu District to build their livelihood resilience and improve their economic status.
Founder and Director of the Agronomic and Horticultural Crops off-taker Chifundo Chiphazi said the communities in the area have for a long time concentrated on crop farming; ignoring livestock, which she said, has great potential to boost their economic status.
“We wanted to encourage our farmers whom we work with to also consider goat farming as a business and not just concentrate on crop farming as we have been doing.
“The idea is that we want to uplift the livelihoods of the rural communities. It’s also an incentive to the farmers that we have been working with over the years,” Chiphazi said.
She said as an off-taker in the horticulture and agronomic value chain operating in the area, the entity supports the farmers in various ways including provision of farm inputs and training in business management.
“So we want to incentivize our relationship with farmers by providing these goats which we have distributed to the first cohort of the beneficiaries.
“The expectation is that this initiative will also boost crop farming. The manure from goats will make us go fully organic,” she said.
At least 48 households received five goats each in a pass-on arrangement that will benefit 200 families.
Group Village Simphasi expressed excitement with the initiative saying it will boost the community’s economic status and help families to support their children’s education.
She appealed beneficiaries to take care of the livestock so that those on the waiting list can also benefit in fulfillment of the project’s objective.
Valued at K14.7 million, the goats were sourced from Mentors International, an organization which focuses on business training for smallholder farmers to lift them from poverty to sustainable self-reliance.
Samson Moyo, a mentor at the organization said the goats were supplied under the institution’s Giving Machine Project with financial assistance from the Church of Jesus for the Latter Day Saints.
“We will supply a total of 400 goats in two of the district’s extension planning areas.
“Our expectation is very positive because the farmers have been mentored and will operate as a business so we expect to see a huge impact on the economic status of the beneficiary households,” Moyo said.
Traditional Authority Kabuthu hails impact of E-payment for SCTP beneficiaries
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, October 23, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) Kabuthu of Chizumulu Island in Likoma District, Tuesday, applauded government for introducing E-Payment system for transferring stipends to beneficiaries of Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in the district.
Kabuthu was speaking during an extra ordinary full council meeting where Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare briefed stakeholders on the development.
He said that the transition of transfers payment system from manual to E-payment will ensure that beneficiaries access their money with ease.
“On behalf of the people of Chizumulu Island and the district as a whole, I thank government for this initiative. This has put us at par with other districts which embraced E-payment system sometime back,” said Kabuthu.
Chairperson for Likoma District Council, Barnabas Sambamo said that the new payment system is in line with digital era which he said is being embraced worldwide.
He then assured the beneficiaries of the effectiveness of E-payment system saying it is a secure and faster means for payment.
Principal Social Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Gilbert Kaponda then advised stakeholders to sensitize people in their localities on the initiative.
“It is our responsibility to inform people about this system so that they embrace,” said Kaponda.
Government commits to address fuel shortage
By Sheminah Nkhoma
Lilongwe, October 23, Mana: Minister of Information and Digitalisation Moses Kunkuyu has said government is working tirelessly to ensure that fuel is available in the country.
Speaking on Wednesday during a press briefing in Lilongwe, Kunkuyu said government understands the difficulties, which Malawians are facing due to fuel shortage and how it has affected many lives.
He said the shortage of fuel has come due to accumulated debts owed to fuel suppliers and shortage of forex.
“Government is doing everything possible to normalise the situation by among others borrowing money from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) to buy more fuel for the country,” said Kunkuyu.
He further stated that government has allocated 21.5 million United States dollars to fuel importers as a way of lessening the burden.
“44 tankers are already in the country and additional fuel supplies are on the way, including 29 trucks carrying 1.1 million litres of petrol, 30 wagons transporting 1.2 million litres of petrol, 150 trucks delivering 5.7 million litres of petrol and nine trucks carrying 350,000 litres of diesel to restore the country's fuel supply”, he said.
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer for National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) Clement Kanyama said that the country continues to receive a constant supply of fuel and that the current fuel shortage will be electrified soon.
Kanyama assured Malawians of NOCMA’s commitment and unwavering dedication to ensure the availability of fuel in the country.
ACCEL Africa project celebrates success in the fight against child labour
By Eunice Disi Lole
Lilongwe, October 22, Mana: Chief Technical Adviser of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Project ACCEL Africa, Minoru Ogasawara has expressed satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the child labour elimination project.
Ogasawara made the remarks on Tuesday during the celebrations of the success of the Project in Malawi which was held at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC).
‘The project has extremely been successful by bringing together all technical expertise within ILO and working together with different stakeholders namely Ministry of Labour, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) and Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM),” he said.
He added that through these collaborations they had a comparative advantage and it is what made it possible for them to address child labour and the supply chain in a comprehensive manner.
Deputy Labour Commissioner, Wafwile Musukwa expressed gratitude to ILO for bringing together key partners in the tea and coffee sectors who are working in a very collaborative way and due to that, a lot of progress has been made in child labour elimination.
“Communities have received a lot of sensitization on child labour and the employers in the tea and coffee sectors have also been capacitated on how to identify and prevent child labour in the activities that they are doing and the approach is to tackle child labour in the supply chain,” said Musukwa.
Speaking during an interview, one of the beneficiaries from the project, Lucia Raphael Lastone from Thyolo commended ACCEL Africa for rescuing her from working at a tea estate and changing her life for the better. She was given a chance to go to a technical college where she did fabrication and welding.
With the skills that I have acquired I will be able to run my own business and support my family and all this has been made possible due to ACCEL Africa project,” She said.
The project’s overarching goal has been to accelerate the elimination of child labour in Africa through targeted actions in selected supply chains in Cote d’ivoire, Egypt, Malawi, Mali Nigeria and Uganda.
In Malawi, the focus has been on the tea and coffee industries, both of which are critical to the country’s economy and particularly vulnerable to child labour.
Sauli advocates for a comprehensive scholarship program to support the needy
BY Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, August 27, Mana: Biggers Sauli, a Malawian-born educator specializing in Chinese language and Literature, has passionately urged secondary school administrators in Malawi to grant scholarships to deserving students, drawing on his own extraordinary journey as a testament to the transformative influence of education.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) Sauli highlighted that he was granted a pivotal scholarship to enroll at Maranatha Boys Academy in Blantyre, where he excelled in his academic pursuits from 2014 to 2016.
He noted that the opportunity paved the way for him to pursue a bachelor's degree at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), and that he is currently embarking on his first year of a Master's Degree program in Chinese language and Literature in China.
"Secondary education is pivotal in shaping one's trajectory.
"It serves as the gateway to higher education and ultimately a prosperous career. I stand as living proof of this assertion," Said Sauli.
In his remarks, Ernest Kaonga, the Managing Director of Maranatha Academy, expressed admiration for Sauli's accomplishments, saying the institution is committed to fostering excellence and providing top-notch education, we take immense pride in the impact we have had in our community.
"We take great pleasure in Sauli's narrative and we are exceedingly proud of him and all those who have preceded and succeeded him courtesy of Maranatha.
"Sauli's remarkable odyssey stands as a beacon of hope for numerous young Malawians, underscoring the crucial role that education plays in unlocking individual potential and propelling national progress," said Kaonga.
Kaonga further stated that Sauli's tale serves as an inspiration for a new generation of scholars to pursue their aspirations, undeterred by any obstacles.
Construction of houses for persons with albinism on course.
By: Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, October 23, Mana: A 20-year-old Siyana Kamtengo, one of the people with albinism in Traditional Authority Masula in Lilongwe district has hailed government for constructing houses for people with albinism across the country.
Kamtengo made the remarks Tuesday when officials from the Ministry of Lands and Lilongwe District Council inspected the progress of the project.
"We were not safe. During the night hours, we could hear people wanting to enter into our house to harm us. But with this house, we are now safe," she said.
Kamtengo who stays with her old grandmother then asked government and well-wishers to assist her and the family with a capital so that she can start a small-scale business to sustain the family.
“Our grandmother is old and she doesn’t do anything, but my sister and I are still strong and if we can have capital to start a small business it can really assist us. Our biological father run away from us. We sleep with an empty stomach most of the times because we do not have a reliable source of income to find our basic need,” she said.
Deputy Director in the Ministry of Lands responsible for rural housing Kingsly Lungu expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project saying the contractors are doing a commendable job.
Lungu said it is encouraging that since government started constructing houses for people with albinism, there has been no reported cases of abductions, which means that the security for people with albinism has been strengthened and they feel safe.
“This project is being implemented in all districts across the country apart from Likoma where there is no person with albinism. People are very excited, they feel very secure and safe. We believe that this project will go very far in preventing abductions and inhumane treatment of people with albinism,” he said.
Lungu then disclosed that government is intending to construct 100 houses for people with albinism in five years and it has already managed to construct 67 houses across the country, with Eleven of them being constructed in Lilongwe district.
Government started constructing houses of people with albinism in 2021 and it is now in fourth phase of the project.
Mchinji Embraces E-Payment for Social Cash Transfer Programme
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, October 23, Mana: Mchinji District has transitioned from manual payment to electronic payment in the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCT), commonly known as 'Mtukula Pakhomo'.
The programme has now shifted to a mobile-based payment arrangement by using TNM Mpamba.
Speaking Tuesday during the registration of the beneficiaries into the new payment system at Guillime, District Commissioner for Mchinji, Lucia Chidalengwa, hailed the move as a major improvement for the programme.
“This new arrangement brings several advantages, logistical challenges that arose when sending officers to manually disburse funds to beneficiaries will be minimised. Additionally, beneficiaries will not be exposed to theft, as they will now receive the transfers in confidence through their phones,” Chidalengwa said.
One of the beneficiaries, Judith Kilementi, from Chithala Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Zulu, expressed her relief with the new payment system compared to the old system.
“In the past, we had to travel long distances to pay points, sometimes waiting for hours to receive our money. It was not easy, we often got hungry, and the transport costs reduced the little we received. Now, I will not have to spend hours or use the money on transport,” said Kilementi, a widow, looking after seven children.
Another beneficiary, Petulo Mkwezalamba from Njelengo Village, TA Zulu, will receive his cash transfer for the first time under the new system and welcomed the idea.
“Receiving money through a cellphone is ideal for me. I can withdraw the cash at a time that suits me without having to rush or travel to a distant location,” said Mkwezalamba.
Chief Social Welfare Officer responsible for the Social Cash Transfer programme, Chifundo Nanchukwa, said the transition to electronic payments is part of government's broader agenda to digitalize all Government-to-People (G2P) payments.
“This new system offers many benefits as beneficiaries can access their money at any time, rather than being required to gather at a specific location. It will also reduce non-collection of transfers and enhance financial inclusion, as beneficiaries will be using digital payment systems,” said Nanchukwa.
Government is transitioning to E-payment for its social protection beneficiaries, which include ‘Mtukula Pakhomo’ and Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) also known as ‘M’bwenzera Chilengedwe’.
Youth urged to embrace e-payment in Thyolo
By Dalitso Kampira
Thyolo, October 23, Mana: As the world transitions from analogue to digital, Ministry of Finance has urged the youths in Thyolo to embrace electronic payment (e-payment) systems as the world is advancing in digital technology and transaction.
Digital Financial Service Specialist in the Ministry of Finance, Steve Mgwadira made the call on Tuesday during the Digital Financial Services (DFS) awareness Campaign conducted by the ministry in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) at Thunga Community Day Secondary School
He said youths have a significant role to play in this digital era as Malawi is migrating to e-payment systems.
“We are raising awareness among the youth about the e-payment. The youths should be able to pass this knowledge on to parents and guardians.
"The world is going digital, and it is vital for young people to engage in mobile banking through platforms like e-banks, Airtel Money, and TNM Mpamba,” Mgwadira added.
He noted that by embracing the digital era, the youth who are both present and future leaders will help pass the innovations from one generation to the next.
Reserve Bank of Malawi, Senior Analyst in the National Payment Systems Department, Setrida Thomas, said e-payment is convenient for young people as it reduces time spent standing in long queues to transact thereby allowing them to focus on other activities.
“We live in a fast-paced world where most youths are reluctant to wait in long queues to access banking services.
“The introduction of e-payment systems will ease this burden, freeing up their time for studies, business, and other pursuits,” she said.
Thomas added that there will be long-term benefits in targeting young people with e-payment education, observing that it will drive socio-economic development through promoting use of digital financial systems.
“We know that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. Involving them in convenient ways to send, receive, and manage money will have a significant impact on the country's digital future,” she added.
Brenda Makilele, a 16-year-old student at Thunga CDSS, said was excited with initiative, stating that it will help her to save and send money with ease.
“E-payment will help my parents to pay my school fees and buy school necessities with ease,” the student stated, adding that the electronic payment was ideal and relevant as the world is becoming full of scammers and fraudsters.
The Digital Financial Inclusion and Competitiveness (DFIC) Project, which began in July 2024, is expected to conclude in January 2025.
DFIC is being implemented across all 28 districts in Malawi, including Thyolo, and targets communities under all traditional authorities in the district.
NWRA warns of rising water levels in Nkhotakota
By Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, October 23, Mana: The National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has warned residents in Nkhotakota to avoid undertaking any activity along the boards of Water, as they anticipate a rise in water levels in Lake Malawi and other boards of water this coming rainy season.
These remarks were made on Tuesday by the NWRA Public Relations Officer Masozi Kasambara during an engagement meeting with senior members from Area Development Committees (ADCs) at NKhotakota Aids Support Organization hall (NASO) in Nkhotakota district.
Kasambara said the meeting was aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of relocating to establishments close to Lake Malawi, rivers and other boards of Water. He revealed that projection indicates that Lake Malawi and other boards of water in the district, will have high water levels in the next hydrological year than in the current year.
Kasambara further asked the general public to seek guidance from the authority whenever they are considering constructing infrastructure along rivers or shorelines. He advised residents in flood-prone areas to relocate ahead of the upcoming rainy season.
"The prediction has it that during the next hydrological year, we will witness more water levels both on Lake Malawi and Shire River, but the key message that we would like to put across to the nation is that people must avoid constructing infrastructures or cultivating along the river banks or lake Malawi because this can put their lives at risk", said Kasambara.
In his remarks, Kanyenda ADC Chairperson, McPasswell Mzumara commended the initiative, and he assured the authority that they would share information gained during the meeting with people living in their respective villages.
Mzumara said Nkhotakota was hit hard by floods this year in February and many people have not recovered from the devastation and to see a repeat of the same would be unfortunate.
Council hails project for promoting food security
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, October 23, Mana: Chairperson for Kasungu District Council, Mwambilaso Mbedza has hailed Kasungu Agriculture Coordination Project (KACP) for promoting food security and equipping people in the rural areas with modern agricultural skills.
Funded by the Flanders Government to the tune of 450 000 Euros, the KACP which started in 2018 aimed at equipping farmers in the district with knowledge so that they remain resilient in the face of climate change.
Speaking when she presided over a ceremony marking the end of the first phase of the project on Tuesday at Kalolo in the area of Senior Chief Lukwa in Kasungu district, Mbedza advised the farmers to sustain the activities learned under the project to make their homes food secure and harvest enough for commercial purposes.
“We will live to cherish this project and it is our desire that the activities under the initiative are sustained so that we remain resilient to climatic shocks that are hitting us hard.
“Let me applaud the Flanders Government for supporting us in this manner and we can only pay them back by building on the skills learned in order to have adequate food in our household which was the main aim of this project,” she said.
Earlier in the day, Mbedza inspected some of the agricultural works done under the project which was being implemented in eight model villages in the district.
Apart from building capacity for farmers on modern farming approaches, the project also provide the farming household with livestock such as goats, pigeons and chicken and constructed a solar powered irrigation scheme.
The council’s chairperson for Agriculture Service Committee, Bryson Zephaniah said KACP has complemented government efforts in boosting agricultural productivity which is one of the anchor pillars to achieving the Malawi 2063 vision.
In his remarks, Group Village Head Kalolo expressed excitement for the progress that the project has brought in his area.
"We did not have adequate food because our approach to farming was not aligned with the changing climatic patterns.
“This time, things have changed because we are cultivating maize in our scheme even during the dry season using irrigation techniques that we learned and we also keep livestock,” Kalolo said.
In this ending phase, the project has distributed 1 850 livestock to 280 farming households and installed solar power in six of the district Extension and Planning Areas (EPAs) and connected all the EPA offices to internet.
