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.