MANAonline
Balaka rolls out voter registration on a high note
By Mary Makhiringa
Balaka, October 23, Mana: A random survey conducted by Malawi News Agency (MANA) Tuesday revealed that despite the communication gap that most communities have expressed on the voter registration currently underway in Balaka district, more people are flooding registration centres to register.
Interacting with possible voters at Mseche Primary School revealed that people are mistaking the voter registration for relief food items registration, which was also underway in the district a few days ago.
“I came upon hearing from a colleague that it is a voter registration and not the other.”
“ I have then notified more people since we still have many days before the end of the registration period,” said Alefa M’bawa.
As of Tuesday afternoon, in most centres that MANA visited, data showed that they had passed over 100 accumulative figures from Monday, which was the start of the registration.
Balaka District Elections Officer, Harry Yohane said despite everything, the district has received massive support and people are coming out in numbers to register.
“We have 202 registration centres in Balaka District and all of them rolled out on Monday.
“Our civic education team is currently on the ground, day and night sensitizing the public on this very important exercise,” he said, adding that special interest will be given to areas mistaking registration on relief food with voter registration.
Balaka is among the districts in the first phase of the registration prior to the 2025 General Elections.
Umodzi Wathu Women Cooperative impresses Minister of Agriculture
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, October 23, Mana: A group of women with various professional backgrounds under the name; Umodzi Wathu Cooperative Society Limited said they are well set to do more than dairy cattle farming on their farm at Chigumula where they started after a K111 million grant from Agricultural Commercialization (AGCOM) project in 2023.
Umodzi Wathu Cooperative Society disclosed this when Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale visited the group at Chigumula on Monday in Blantyre where they are rearing cattle with support from the AGCOM project which seeks to transform smallholder agriculture from subsistence to commercial.
Kawale said is impressed with the women’s determination and unity in the dairy enterprises, adding that this was in line with Malawi’s commercialization drive and women’s participation in agricultural development.
“Just know that the ministry is impressed with what you are doing. Be in touch with the Ministry of Agriculture and are ready to guide you.
“Always ask us whenever you are stuck somewhere. Don’t limit yourself. Opportunities are there,” Kawale said and encouraged them to get themselves familiar with various technologies of making animal feed other than depending on maize stalks only.
“Get to know many agricultural technologies in making animal feed. Keep learning, keep asking questions and keep engaging,” added Kawale after appreciating the dairy cows farming at Chigumula farm which the group said is set to develop the place by growing other crops to complement the dairy cattle farming.
The cooperative operates under the motto; Cultivating Dreams, Nourishing Hope and is comprised of 54 women including pensionaries, bankers, lawyers, accountants, university students and young women.
Mid 2021, four women came together to start a group and decided to mobilize fellow women into what is called Umodzi wathu Cooperative Society, today, a legally registered entity.
The minister said it was pleased that the women who are from different professional backgrounds grouped themselves into a society with one purpose of moving forward to become a cooperative which looks forward to embarking on various value-adding agricultural activities.
He added that Ministry of Agriculture was looking forward to support such cooperatives and encouraged Umodzi wathu to routinely seek technical expertise from livestock veterinarians for successful daily farming.
“Let us shift from subsistence farming to commercialization. This is where Malawi is driving to,” he added and expressed optimism that Umodzi Wathu Cooperative Society will rise to become a successful agricultural commercial entity.
Umodzi Wathu Cooperative Society, Chairperson Sylvia Mataka hailed Kawale for visiting the group saying this is motivation enough to keep the women going with a vision of becoming one of the successful cooperatives in Malawi,
The cooperative received a grant of K111 million in 2023 from the AGCOM project after meeting many requirements that included submission of a concept note, business plan and registration with the authorities.
Mataka commended AGCOM project management for being accommodative and supportive to Umodzi wathu Cooperative Society, saying the cooperative has a mission to become a force to reckon with in dairy cattle farming with intentions to make dairy products such as cheese and butter.
Blantyre District Commissioner, Alex Mdooko also hailed the women for teaming up to become a cooperative which is geared to provide jobs for people at Chigumula and surrounding areas in the course of dairy cattle farming.
He disclosed that Blantyre District has 17 cooperatives with some of them in dairy, poultry, piggery, soya beans and ordinary beans farming.
“Most of these groups are supported by the AGCOM project. Agricultural commercialization is the way to go and we should think of value chain, value addition,” Mdooko added.
With the K111 million AGCOM grant, Umodzi wathu Cooperative Society procured dairy cattle, water storage tanks, constructed feeding sheds, manure sheds, ponds and an office among others.
The group said, if funds permit, it will buy additional cattle, lorry for feed transportation, tractor and cooling to effectively manage the farm for better results.
AGCOM is a Malawi Government project funded by the World Bank to transform the country’s agriculture sector.
First Capital Bank donates computers worth K6 Million to Mchinji Council
By Gloria Asante Mvula
Mchinji, October 23, Mana: First Capital Bank (FCB) has donated two sets of state-of-the-art computers worth K6 million to Mchinji District Council, in a move aimed at enhancing the council’s operations through improved technology.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday, FCB team leader Martin Kadewere highlighted the bank's commitment to address technological gaps that are hindering efficient communication and operations in councils.
“We have identified the need to provide additional computers to assist the council in running its daily operations more smoothly, especially in this digital age. Many councils face financial constraints, which makes it difficult for them to procure necessary devices,” Kadewere said.
Mchinji District Commissioner, Lucia Chidalengwa, expressed gratitude for the timely donation, saying the gesture will go a long way in improving service delivery.
“We are overwhelmed with appreciation as this donation comes shortly after we requested support. Many of our departments face challenges due to lack of computers. In this technological era, everything is connected electronically, and having additional computers will significantly reduce those challenges,” Chidalengwa said.
The donation is part of FCB’s broader commitment to community support and corporate social responsibility, as the bank continues to give back to the communities it serves.
Mchinji Council has been one of the best-performing councils.
Few months ago it came second among all local councils in the Local Authorities Performance Assessment (LAPA), and was also awarded by the Malawi Association of Local Government (MALGA) as the most improved council recently.
Voter registration starts on good note in Mulanje
By Innocent Chamtulo
Mulanje, October 23, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Commissioner Rev. Philip Kambulire has commended the great momentum that Mulanje District has started with in the current voter registration exercise.
Commissioner Kambulire said this on Tuesday, on the sidelines of a monitoring tour in the district to appreciate the commencement of the exercise amid interest from different sectors.
"Since the exercise started yesterday, we have had many people flocking to various registration centres. One issue we have noted is that because most people work in tea estates, they have been coming as the centres are about to close.
“So we have engaged estate managers to find a way of releasing them in good time so that their work should also not suffer," he said.
He appealed people who are eligible to go and register for them to be able to exercise their right of voting on 16th September 2025.
Commissioner of Police for South East Region, Chikondi Chingadza said security status since the onset of the registration has been tight and that they have not received any complaints from any registration centre.
"We have a large number of police officers who are committed to providing security in an eventuality situation," she said.
Malawi will hold General Elections in September 2025 and the registration sessions have been split into three phases of 14 days each.
Minister of Agriculture tours Bvumbwe Agricultural Research Station
By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, October 22, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, emphasized the critical role agricultural research stations, such as the Bvumbwe station, must play in developing new agricultural technologies saying these innovations should lead to improved crop and livestock varieties, contributing to Malawi's long-term food and nutrition security
Kawale made the remarks at Bvumbwe Agricultural Research Station in Thyolo on Monday after touring several sections that included; soil fertility and chemistry, pesticides control, plant pathology laboratories and other test labs.
The Minister also toured macadamia, orange-fleshed sweet potato, and Irish potato early-generation seed multiplication projects, aligning with the government's efforts to make Malawi a food-sufficient nation. The focus is on shifting from subsistence farming to commercialization, which will rely on pest-resistant, high-yield crop varieties and improved livestock breeds.
“Our famers should continue to have access to high yielding food crop,” he said after a tour of several laboratories where he learnt the need to install digital equipment as opposed to current analogue equipment which mostly fails to operate due to over usage.
Kawale therefore said government will continue to work with development partners to invest much on research in line with Malawi’s aspiration of sustainable food sufficient.
He therefore called on other research stations to also concentrate on researching alternative fertilisers so that Malawi should shift from high dependence on chemical fertilisers to organic.
“We should be moving away from chemical fertilisers to organics and we want to teach farmers to make organic fertilizers. Chemical fertilisers are expensive and eating on our resources,
“Our 10 research stations should fully be invested in research that should benefit farmers,” the Agricultural Minister added, citing high yielding maize varieties that can produce many tons per hectare other than few tons at the expense of household food security.
Bvumbwe Research Station Manager, Dr. Margaret Chiipanthenga said lack of laboratory equipment and shortfall of scientific researchers remains one of major challenges at the station.
She therefore said there was need to install high tech research equipment and deployment of adequate personnel in the research laboratories for best tests that should give excellent agricultural solutions.
Makoka Agricultural Research Station is on 287 hectares in Thyolo where a lot of research and a lot of seed multiplication is done.
Kawale was on a tour of a number of research stations such that he was expecting to tour Makoka Research Station in Zomba to appreciate research work.
Turn-up for voter registration improves in Mzuzu
By Yamikani Sabola
Mzuzu, October 22, Mana: Turn-up for fresh voter registration has improved in Mzuzu on Tuesday which marked the second day of the exercise ahead of 2025 polls.
There were queues of people waiting to register in some of the centers visited in the afternoon, unlike on Monday when elections management device (EMD) operators were found idling in most of the centers visited because they had no people to serve.
Center supervisor for Matope Junior Primary School in Mzuzu City North Constituency, Mariam Simfukwe expressed satisfaction with the numbers of people coming to the center for registration.
“There is tremendous improvement if we compare with the figures of yesterday. Today we have managed to register 123 people by now and more are coming. Yesterday we only registered 39 the whole day,” she said.
One of the registrants at Ching’ambo Primary School, John Munthali said he was happy to have registered his name and encouraged others to do the same to be able to exercise their right to vote next year.
“Elections come once every five years so I cannot afford to lose an opportunity to cast my vote. I urge everyone to come and register like myself so that they should be able to choose their desired political leaders next year,” he said.
City Elections Officer for Mzuzu, Pilirani Simkonda expressed hope that the turn-up will continue improving due to a mobilization campaign which Malawi Electoral Commission is carrying out in the city to ensure that more people register.
MEC is conducting first phase of fresh voter registration from October 21 to November 3, 2024.
The councils included in the phase are Chitipa, Karonga, Mzuzu and Nkhotakota, among others.
Project improves environmental conservation awareness
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, October 22, Mana: Participants under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CSEPWP) at Chankhungu in Traditional Authority Nkukula in Dowa, have hailed the project saying it has helped raise awareness on environmental conservation amongst community members.
In an interview during a media tour to appreciate progress of the project, Liston Chipokosa of Kaliza village said at first, there were high cases of environmental degradation due to little awareness on environmental management.
“Many people were not aware of the importance of protecting the environment and how degradation can directly affect us. For example, there was careless cutting down of trees.
“This resulted into high incidences of soil erosion and loss of soil fertility, which affected crop production and food security,” said Chipokosa who is also chairperson for Chankhungu catchment.
However, he said since joining the program in 2022, there has been an improvement in environmental management.
Under the program which is being funded by the World Bank and Multi Donor Trust Agency and facilitated by the National Local Government Finance Committee, he said participants are implementing various interventions to reclaim degraded lands.
“We are constructing swales to improve water drainage, constructing stone bunds for soil and water conservation, planting vetiver grass to reduce soil erosion and rainwater runoff. We are also conducting reafforestation activities.
“Apart from that, we have check dams to reduce water speeds, conserve soil and fill gullies. So far, we have seen that we have a better environment, and our fields are more productive than before,” he said.
Christina Chigeza of Chigowo village said previously there were some pieces of land they had stopped cultivating due to degradation. But under the project, they have managed to reclaim the fields and resumed cultivation.
She said this has also motivated other people who were at first reluctant to allow projects like swale construction on their lands, to embrace the interventions.
“Apart from land reclamation activities, the program has also been a source of income for us.
“As a single mother, it was difficult to take care of my family without income. But under the program, we receive some money at every cycle which helps me take care of my children. We are thankful for that and wish for the program to continue,” she said.
Land Resource Conservation Officer at Dowa District Council, Tamerson Mhone, who is also Desk Officer for the project in the district, said it was encouraging to note that the project is creating not only physical structures but also knowledge.
“Knowledge is priceless. If people understand the importance of environmental conservation, it is easier for them to own the interventions and implement these for a very long time,” he said.
Emmie Deebo to spice up Blantyre’s fiesta
By Ivy Yohane
Blantyre, October 22, Mana: Akometsi Entertainment has organized a music show dubbed Emmie Deebo’s City Fiesta, which will take place on Saturday October 26 at Robins Park in Blantyre with an aim of bringing entertainment to Blantyre fans.
Emmie Deebo whose real name is Emily Zintambila is one of the trending female musicians, signed under Akometsi Entertainment and gained fame with hits like Changa featuring Qaso, Befu in which she featured Kelly Kay, Sheli Banana, among others.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Akometsi Entertainment Operations and Marketing Manager, Laurent Kwakwala said that the growing demand from Emmie Deebo’s fans in Blantyre has made them to organize the show.
"It’s part of her growth as an artist and at the same time giving her fans from Blantyre what they want and should expect a memorable performance from her,” he said.
Kwakwala confirmed that they are done with the preparations and assured that there will be enough security as they have hired a private security firm.
“Emmie Deebo is ready for the show and she has been and is still training with her band, dancers and crew to give her fans an electrifying performance and we have partnered with a few companies namely; Hirwa General Dealers (HGD) which is a brand that Emmie represents, Trust Networks, Blues Bar and Restaurant, Mikozi, Videogenics, Direct Marketing and other partners we are yet to announce,” he added.
In a separate interview, one of the artists that will perform on the day and known for energetic live performances, Pempho Eliah, popularly known as Fada Moti said he has been preparing for the show and promised an extraordinary performance.
"I am well prepared and i just want to let people know that I will give them what Fada Moti is best known for,” he said.
Other supporting artists include; E-iconz from Uganda, Charisma, Teddy, Jay Jay Cee, Wikise, Achina Gattah Aise, Aidfest and Kineo, Qaso, Mellz, Sife and Diego.
The show will be hosted by Joy Nathu and Hanareen Doness.
Revitalizing Agriculture: Dedza’s Malindima Irrigation Scheme
By: Steve Chirombo
Dedza, October 21, Mana: In the heart of Dedza, in Group Village Head Mwanzimba, under Traditional Authority Kaphuka, lies the Malindima Irrigation Scheme, a 22.5-hectare agricultural project with the potential to expand to 40 hectares.
Since its inception in 2018, the scheme has empowered 103 farmers, transforming their lives and livelihoods.
As witnessed recently, during a field day, the farmers are into cassava, mangoes, guavas, oranges with a focus on Irish potato.
The communities had established it as an irrigation scheme around 1990s but it did not bring the much desired results up until 2018 when Self Help Africa (SHA) intervened under its project on Achieving Sustainable Poverty Reduction through Increased Inclusive Resilience and Empowerment (ASPIRE) with support from the Embassy of Ireland.
Today, the story is different and there are tears of joy in most faces of the farmers under Malindima Irrigation Scheme.
"I was able to buy goats after selling my produce in the first year (2020), cattle in the second year (2021), built a house in the third year (2022), and purchased a motorbike in the fourth year (2023). I expect to buy a vehicle this year," said Ikirifi Kambali, a 24-year-old farmer.
He expressed gratitude at SHA for the support saying through the canals that were constructed at the site, farmers find it easy to irrigate their crops and that it is cost-effective.
He went on to advise his fellow youths to stop looking down at themselves saying everything is possible.
“We start small and grow big. All we need to do is to stop being lazy and start working hard,” stated Kambali
Lebian Sefas, another beneficiary, shared her success story: "I constructed a house and quarters in 2019, bought goats and chickens in 2020, built another quarters in 2021, and purchased a dairy cow in 2022. I also ventured into beekeeping, with five beehives producing 40-60 liters of honey. All these from the scheme."
According to Sefas, 1 liter of honey gives him MK6, 000 translating to total sales of around MK360, 000 which he uses to purchase farm inputs and also helping his children’s education.
He hailed SHA and government extension workers for the support not only at the irrigation scheme but also instilling in them expertise in modern farming.
Boston Mwase, Secretary of the Malindima Irrigation Scheme, emphasized the importance of diversifying crops.
"Our secret is to have a variety of crops planted here so that we stand better in markets. We have food and are also economically empowered through the scheme.
“The support from SHA has seen an improvement in our living standards through food and good housing as well as sending our children to school on top of having livestock. The scheme is keeping each one of us busy than indulging in things that can negatively affect our lives,” said Mwase
However, Mwase said for sustainability’s sake, they have a bank account to which they deposit annual membership fees which goes towards maintenance of the scheme.
The scheme's success can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of SHA, the government, and the farmers themselves.
Barton Mwale, SHA's Food Security and Resilient Coordinator, expressed happiness at the great work farmers at Malindima Irrigation Scheme are doing saying his organization is there to promote and complement the government’s vision and that of the Ministry of Agriculture.
“We have seen the irrigation farming these farmers are doing which is one of the activities that complement agriculture production instead of depending only on rain fed agriculture. These are things we expect,” he said.
According to Mwale, for all this to be achieved, it took an initiative to train the farmers and they had to contribute 20 percent of the things to have the scheme running.
Among others, SHA provided the farmers with cement and artisans that constructed the scheme.
“These are the results that we have seen that the farmers are now able to stand on their own. They are able to build houses, buy livestock with others purchasing dairy cows which is a good thing.
“And we have seen a young man who says is ready to buy a 3 tonne vehicle after selling his Irish potato this year, a thing that we appreciate. We can as well see that farming is bringing an impact upon this area and even young people are taking an initiative to take farming as business so that they can help in their day to day life,” he emphasized.
Mwale further appealed to farmers to ensure that environmental conservation is sustained saying one cannot talk about agriculture without conserving the environment. He added that agriculture is done on the land and for it to be protected, it needs trees and for the trees to do well, they need water.
“For water to be used for irrigation, these people need to harvest it during the rainy season. Thus why we are saying they need to promote conservation measures so that during dry season like this one, they will be able to use it for irrigation,” he said.
Shira Kang'ombe, Lilongwe Agriculture Development Division (ADD's) Programs Manager noted the scheme's contribution to achieving the MW2063 vision.
"SHA's intervention complements government efforts, promoting agricultural production and food security. From a look of things here, there is indeed a good working relationship between SHA and government towards achieving the MW2063.
“We have today witnessed the activities these farmers are doing to ensure they plant their crops and harvest others for sale while keeping some for household use which we also advocate as Ministry of Agriculture,” she said.
Kang’ombe said government reaches out to every farmer in its interventions but due to inadequate staff, it becomes a bit easy when other stakeholders like SHA implement similar interventions.
According to Kang’ombe, lack of markets for farmers is due to an oversight that comes in before planting particular crops.
“Farmers should know where to sale their crops but even if that is the case, as a ministry we provide agribusiness trainings which enable them (farmers) to do market research before planting a particular crop.
“They can even reach out to shops, supermarkets just to check on the need, then go back to their farm to do what the market demands them. We will therefore join hands with SHA to train the farmers and also make them be in groups to work as cooperatives to enable them do their farming as business,” indicated Kang’ombe.
Dedza district council, Chairperson, Stanley Manase, commended SHA's support: "Thanks to SHA for enhancing our farming techniques and financing the canal construction and water reservoirs."
He promised to keep linking up with various NGOs and government so as to spread the interventions to other areas within the district.
Manase reminded the farmers that climate change is here hence the need to diversify their farming methods from rain fed to irrigation which has proved beneficial in crop yields.
The Malindima Irrigation Scheme serves as a model for sustainable agricultural practices and community empowerment. The scheme has also promoted environmental conservation, with farmers adopting sustainable farming practices.
Water harvesting has been a crucial aspect of the scheme, ensuring a steady supply for irrigation. Farmers have learned to work together, sharing knowledge and resources. The scheme has transformed the community, providing a sense of pride and ownership among farmers.
As the scheme continues to thrive, it offers a beacon of hope for farmers in the region.
The initiative demonstrates the power of collaboration and community-driven development, paving the way for a brighter future for farmers in Malawi.
SVTP donates vehicle to Nsanje District Council
By Robert Nayeja
Nsanje, October 22, Mana: Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP) on Tuesday donated a Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle worthy over MK192 million to the Department of Lands at Nsanje District Council.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, one of the officials from SVTP, Laura Njoka said the car was donated to facilitate SVTP activities that are taking place in the district.
“We are currently working on land registration and this car will help to make this exercise a success,” she added.
Njoka, therefore, urged authorities at the district council to take good care of the vehicle so that it should serve the council longer.
“Make sure that the vehicle should be serviced on time so that it should not break down,” Njoka advised.
Deputy Director in the Ministry of Lands, Jambo Chidziwitsano said the vehicle has come at the right time as the department is implementing a lot of activities in Nsanje district.
“Currently, we are conducting land registration and also presenting land plans to the community in the district. This car will help to facilitate implementation of such kind of activities,” he added.
Chidziwitsano, however, pointed out that the vehicle will help in the implementation of land activities at district level as the Ministry of Lands has devolved some of its functions to local authorities.
Speaking after receiving the vehicle on behalf of Nsanje District Council, Vice Chairperson for Nsanje District Council, Felix Round applauded SVTP for the timely support.
Round said the vehicle has come at a time when the council is experiencing mobility challenges.
“We have few vehicles which made it difficult for implementation of other programmes. The council will make sure that the vehicle should be used for the intended purposes,” he added.
Round also pledged that the council will take good care of the vehicle so that it should save the people of Nsanje for a long time.
