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Lean Season Food Insecurity Programme targets 13,803 households in Karonga
By George Mponda
Karonga, October 7, Mana: Disaster Risk Management Officer for Karonga District Council, Humphrey Magalasi, Monday said that 13,803 households are expected to benefit from2024/25 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Programme.
Speaking when he briefed Karonga District Disaster Risk Management Committee on the initiative, Magalasi said each household will receive a 50-kilogram bag of maize for three months each month.
"These 13,803 households represent a population of 62,114 who have been identified from senior traditional authorities Mwakaboko, Kilupula, Wasambo, Mwinuka, Mwilang’ombe and Paramount Chief Kyungu.
They will receive relief assistance from December 2024 to February 2025," Magalasi said.
He highlighted that prioritized in the initiative are child-headed households, homes with malnourished children and people with disabilities and the elderly among others.
Group Village Head Malema under Paramount Chief Kyungu hailed government for the initiative, which he said, would go a long way in addressing food insecurity in the district.
"A lot of people were affected by floods which hit the district early this year and they lost their household properties including foodstuff, so this is a very welcome development which will ensure households are food secure for the stated three months.
As traditional leaders, we will corroborate with village civil protection committees to ensure that only deserving beneficiaries are registered to benefit from this humanitarian intervention,” said Malema.
According to the 2024 Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee Report, about 5, 700,000 people are expected to experience acute food insecurity with 553, 000 of these residing in urban areas from October 2024 to March 2025.
Government lauds Oxfam for promoting access to markets
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, October 7, Mana: Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola has commended Oxfam for promoting women's participation in agriculture and ensuring access to profitable markets for their produce.
Chithyola was speaking at Chaima in Kasungu District during activities that Oxfam and its partners organized to raise awareness of women's rights to agriculture.
The activities were part of the project called ‘Enhancing access to profitable and inclusive agriculture markets for smallholder farmers in Kasungu District’ being implemented by Circle for Integrated Community Development (CICOD) and the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) with funding from the Flanders Government through Oxfam.
Said the minister: “I am impressed that this project has some focus on establishing market linkages to ensure that our farmers have access to profitable markets which is key to ensuring that they benefit from their work.
“As government, we are responsible for looking for off-takers that can provide profitable and inclusive markets. We will do everything to ensure they are good markets for our farmers.”
He encouraged farmers to get into cooperatives to increase their bargaining power for better prices of their produce.
“If you make cooperatives, you are better placed to bargain for good prices from off-takers and make more profits.
“We commend Oxfam for promoting this kind of approach to agriculture and we are aware of the huge impact this project has had on our farming households,” he said.
Gender Coordinator at Oxfam, Lindiwe Jere said there is a need to raise awareness of women’s rights by focusing on gender-based violence, child labour and social norms that affect women’s participation in agricultural production and access to profitable and inclusive markets.
“Apart from enhancing the capacity of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youths, to produce marketable and profitable agriculture commodities, we are also promoting gender transformative approaches to enhance equal participation.
“We are conducting campaigns to end violence against women and the use of child labour in the target extension and planning areas [EPAs],” she said.
Through the project, which is being implemented in Santhe, Chamama, Mtunthama and Chulu EPAs, farmers have been trained on new agriculture approaches, and marketing and have been given warehouses.
Government distributes relief maize in Thyolo
By Beni Bamusi
Thyolo, October 7, Mana: The Government of Malawi, through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), has distributed 12,000 bags of maize to households affected by hunger in Traditional Authority Nanseta, Thyolo District.
Speaking to the Malawi News Agency (MANA) during the distribution exercise at Luchenza Primary School on Sunday, Thyolo District Commissioner Hudson Kuphanga said the hunger situation in the area is dire.
“This maize distribution is a response to our request to DoDMA for food relief in Luchenza and Mangunda, areas heavily affected after our assessment,” Kuphanga said.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the maize wisely and not sell it to vendors, as this would send a wrong message to the government.
“The government is here to help, and we urge you to be responsible with this relief. Selling it to vendors undermines these efforts,” he added.
Kuphanga further revealed that the government plans to distribute lean season relief maize to 58,000 people in the district.
Deputy Commissioner of Police for the South Eastern Region, Stain Chaima, condemned the practice of selling relief maize, warning that those caught engaging in such activities would face legal consequences.
“It’s unacceptable for vendors to buy maize intended for the needy. We all know the acute hunger we are facing, particularly in this area. Selling relief maize is strongly discouraged,” Chaima warned.
One of the beneficiaries, Gine George from Chilomo Village in Traditional Authority Nanseta, expressed her gratitude for the timely aid.
“The devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy and the severe drought have left our community struggling with famine. This maize brings much-needed relief and hope,” George said.
“I’m so thankful for this support,” Agnes said. “The cyclone and drought have been a double blow, and we desperately need continuous support from the government to ensure our survival,” she pleaded.
Thyolo District has approximately 70,000 people in need of food items.
Chomanika calls for cultural unity at Gonapamuhanya festival
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, October 6, Mana: Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Owen Chomanika has urged different cultural groupings to promote their cultural heritage as it plays an important role in unifying tribes and the country at large.
Chomanika made the remarks during Gonapamuhanya cultural celebration on Saturday at Kadumulira in Bolero in Rumphi district.
He said politics and even religion at times fail to unite the people, but culture may fill that gap and unite people.
"Chiefs are responsible for development of their communities and also enhancing peace and unity in their communities and culture.
"The country is made up of clans and tribes and we need to be united, even first as Tumbukas. When we are united as Tumbukas we cannot be divided along religion and so on because culture and tribes bring us together," said Chomanika.
Chomanika also hailed the contribution of Tumbukas during the fight against colonialism and for their contribution to various sectors of the country.
He also applauded Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe for leading in empowering women and youth by among others promoting education.
In an interview, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said the country cannot develop without participation of women and youth.
He added that the celebration's theme of promoting youth and women for development is aimed at ensuring that youths and women take active roles in developing the country.
He also urged people under his reign to observe peace and unity for the country to develop.
National Coordinating Committee Chairperson for Tumbuka Heritage Foundation described the ceremony as the best because for the first time they held the function at their cultural heritage site at Kadumulira.
Some of the notable guests at the function were former President Joyce Banda who unveiled a MK10 million scholarship for girls in the district, Aford President, Enock Chihana, UTM presidential aspirant Mathews Mtumbuka among others.
The function also attracted Paramount Chiefs Inkosi ya Makosi M'mbelwa and Kiyungu, senior chiefs, Traditional Authorities (TA) and many other chiefs from Malawi and Zambia.
It was celebrated under the theme Youth and Women Empowerment for Development.
Balaka MWASIP beneficiaries urged to be game changers in catchment conservation
By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, October 5, Mana: Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP) on Friday handed over MK38 million through Community Environmental Conservation Fund to 21 village level committee that restored 72 hectares of degraded land in Balaka district.
Project Technical Team Leader, Oswald Mulenga therefore urged MWASIP participating community members to be game changers in catchment conservation by adopting prudent use of financial gains beside practicing climate resilience and modern farming practices.
Mulenga, made the call on Friday at Group Village head Chiyembekezo, Traditional Authority Nsamala when handing over the MK38 million.
The project team leader expressed optimism that the MK38 million shared among members of the 21 committees will help members to generate more money by venturing into small scale businesses and organizing themselves into Village Savings Loans (VSLs) groups that will empower them economically other than indulging in charcoal production and other human practices that are not environment friendly.
“Research shows that every year we lose over 30 tons of fertile soil per hectare as evidenced by water gullies that are all over our fields and siltation in our rivers. All these are signs of deforestation and poor farming practices.
“Balaka is also one of the districts in the country that frequently experience dry spells and it is our plea that farmers here should use these funds prudently to get alternative sources of income rather than destroying the forests," he said.
He added that apart from the financial component in MWASIP, the project also provided extension officers with motor cycles to address mobility challenges during their extension work.
One of the Catchment Management Committee members from Namikombe area, Steven Banda, said that it was pleasing that MWASIP mobilized communities to adopt climate resilience and modern farming practices citing marking of swales, box ridges and check dams as measurers to regulate water flow.
“Chiyembekezo village level committee is among the 21 structures that managed to appreciate importance of restoring over 72 hectares of degraded land, We have received MK4.3 million and we pledge to use money prudently,” he said.
Chairperson for Balaka District Council, Pharao Kambiri, said was delighted to see active community participation in catchment conservation and applauded MWASIP for empowering the community members financially.
He said Balaka District Council will work closely with community leaders to enforce laws that shall stop further environment degradation.
MWASIP was introduced in Balaka in 2022 to restore over 10,000 hectares of degraded land in the Shire River Basin.
Chitipa United Football Club Assistant Coach laid to rest
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, October 5, Mana: Chitipa United Football Club (FC) Assistant Coach, Gift Nathaniel Mkamanga, has been laid to rest on Saturday at his home Kanyenjele village in the area of Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa district.
The 35-year-old Mkamanga died on Thursday in Blantyre while attending the ongoing CAF B coaching course at Mpira House.
Relatives and football fraternity gathered at Chitipa Stadium in the morning for body viewing before a church service at Kanyenjele CCAP Church, which was followed by the burial ceremony in the afternoon.
In his eulogy, Vice Chairperson for Chitipa United (FC), Mike Yobe, described the death of Mkamanga as a loss to the team.
Yobe said that they are speechless as he was a talented coach with bright future.
“Everyone has a talent. We can find someone but not the same talent as that of Gift. So it's a loss because he was the backbone of the team. He has been with the team from SIMSO up to the TNM Super League.
We will remember him as developmental coach of Chitipa United. He nurtured young talent and most of the players in Chitipa United FC are his brain children whom he coached from SIMSO,” Yobe said.
He said that Mkamanga will be remembered in many aspects such as personal character, behavior adding that to say it all, Mkamanga was a good person.
“All remaining games in the league will be played in memorial of Gift. And you will see the team winning all the remaining games,” he said.
Vice Chairperson for Coaches Association of Malawi, McNebert Kazuwa, said that the association is deeply touched with the loss of Gift Mkamanga.
Kazuwa described late Gift as somebody who had the potential of propelling in his coaching career.
“Gift was somebody who knew his work and losing him is a big blow to us. We would rather urge upcoming coaches to learn from what Gift was doing.
He has been a very good coach and he was somebody who was dedicated to duty and with his experience he would have been a very good coach not only for Chitipa but for the country as whole,” Kazuwa said.
Notable faces who attended the funeral ceremony among others were Director of Administration for Chitipa District Council, Clement Gonthi, Vice President for Football Association of Malawi, Dr. Lameck Zetu Khonje, FAM Technical Director, Benjamin Kumwenda,
Others were Super League of Malawi Vice General Secretary, Donnex Chilongo, Northern Region Football Association General Secretary, Masiya Nyasulu, Former Chitipa United Coach, Macdonald Nginde Mtemetera, Karonga United FC General Secretary, Ramsey Simwaka.
Mkamanga, Born on March 19, 1989, has survived with a wife.
Machinga Director of Education describes women as crucial agents for change
By Martin Chiwanda
Machinga, October 5, Mana: Women Legal Resource Center (WORLEC) and OXFAM engaged women drawn from 24 traditional authorities in Machinga at a Women’s Manifesto meeting to inspire those that aspire to contest in various elective positions in the 2025 general election.
Machinga District Council’s Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Nellie Kamtedza said women play crucial role in socio-economic development in Malawi hence the need to empower them in various ways.
Kamtedza made the remarks on Friday at Machinga Secondary School hall where she was a guest of honour at the Women’s Manifesto gathering organized by WORLEC and OXFAM with support from European Union.
“Women are crucial in socio economic development. They need to take part in any decision-making processes and not only to be involved.
“They need to be part of the process at all levels of decision making including being given opportunity in elective political positions,” she added.
The director observed that women have been left behind despite being in majority in the country’s population.
“Women have always been left behind despite the fact that they constitute a bigger portion of the population as compared to men. They have not been adequately represented at different levels,” said Kamtedza.
She also noted that women face various challenges that can only be addressed if they are part of the decision-making processes at all levels.
The Director of Education and Youth and Sports therefore applauded WOLRC and OXFAM for inspiring women in Machinga to contest and take up decision making positions in the society so that they should adequately represent women and other unserved population’s interests.
She therefore asked women aspirants that attended the meeting to compete in various elective positions in the 2025 general election.
“As women in the society, you have a role to play to level the ground during the forth coming general elections. You need to take part and contest. If you are not contesting then, make sure that you support women candidates,” Kamtedza said.
One of the participants, Beatrice Chisuse, who is also Director of Women Forum in Machinga, said the engagement meeting was held at a right time, as women aspirants need support ahead of elections in 2025.
Chisuse acknowledged that women in the district have always been left behind in most of the decision making positions, saying time has come for women to reclaim their positions in the society.
“We need to support women aspirants so that we should have more women in different elective positions. Once women are voted into such positions, we can achieve meaningful development at district and national level,” she added.
Machinga District Principal Gender Development Officer, Rita Sukasuka observed that a lot of women in the district have low self-esteem and need to be inspired to stand up to gain recognition in the society.
“These meetings will inspire women to contest in the general election. We have a critical task to ensure that more women take up decision making positions,” she added.
Women's Manifesto in Malawi is a collective agenda and advocacy document created by Malawian women to highlight their key demands and priorities related to gender equality, women’s rights and political participation.
It serves as a tool to influence policy and ensure that women's voices are integrated into the governance process.
NFRA, Mega Farm partnership instrumental in bolstering maize production
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe, October 5, Mana: In an effort to transform agriculture production through large-scale farming Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), George Macheka has expressed enthusiasm with NFRA and Mega Farm partnership describing the initiative as a milestone in enhancing maize production and farmer’s income in the country.
Macheka disclosed this development on Friday where he highlighted the significant successes of its partnership with the Mega Farms Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture, which has been instrumental in boosting maize production across Malawi.
He also expressed Malawi Government’s commitment in line with President Lazarus Chakwera’s sentiments made on 31st August 2023 during the official launch of the Mega Farm concept at Kanengo, Lilongwe attributing to the Malawi 2063(Mw2063) Agenda which describes Malawi Government’s aspirations to be accomplished before the nation’s centennial, specifying a need to develop mega-farms for an increased agriculture production, productivity and commercialization as well as contributing to urbanization and industrialization.
According to NFRA CEO, the project is aimed at the development of anchor medium and large-scale farms and youth incubator farms to accelerate agriculture commercialization. Previously President Chakwera highlighted that the Private Sector Mega Farms Program plays a very crucial role in revamping Malawi's agricultural sector. He also emphasized the necessity of supporting subsistence farmers in transitioning to agricultural mechanization to enhance crop productivity.
“This initiative has already generated MK11.8 billion in income for the contracted farmers and NFRA is pleased to confirm that all farmers have been paid in full for their deliveries and today marks another chapter in the Mega Farms journey as a total of MK6.052 billion has been paid to farmers at one go. This payment will likely have ripple effects in the economy and help to motivate farmers to participate in the initiative in the 2024/25 growing season,” he said.
As part of its continued partnership, NFRA has also entered into contracts for winter cropping, with deliveries from irrigated farms expected in December 2024. These contracts will further enhance the agency’s capacity to maintain strategic grain reserves during off-peak growing seasons, helping ensure food security all year-round.
Furthermore, Macheka has disclosed NFRA plans to sign additional off-taking agreements with mega farmers for the upcoming rainy season, expanding the scope of the partnership and further solidifying the maize supply.
“The agency remains committed to fostering lasting relationships with these mega-farms, ensuring that the initiative evolves into a sustainable, long-term collaboration that consistently benefits both farmers and the nation,” he added.
He also said that through the partnership with Mega Farms program, NFRA remains committed to champion local production, stabilize maize supply, and deliver substantial financial returns to farmers contributing to the growth and development of Malawi’s agricultural sector.
The initiative has seen 183 mega farmers signing contracts to supply maize to NFRA. To date, the farmers have collectively delivered 13,882 Metric Tonnes of maize, with deliveries still ongoing.
SMEDI to empower women in business
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, October 4, Mana: The Director of Small and Medium Enterprise Development institute (SMEDI) Lydia Ngondo Kadzongwe, has underscored the importance of the She Leads Business Breakfast Meeting saying it will empower and network women in shaping the future of business in Malawi.
Speaking during the meeting on Friday at Ufulu gardens in Lilongwe, Kadzongwe said the aim of gathering these business ladies was to let them share experiences and opportunities so that they can collaborate and do business together.
“As SMEDI we are trying our best to get these ladies together so that we can give them an insight of how they can be exposed to different types of businesses,” she stated.
Meanwhile Head of legal and governance at Standard Bank, Norah Msanja, said they are focusing on how women grow into leadership position and the challenges that were highlighted were around the structural challenges.
“As a woman for starters you need to be able to believe in yourself and your capabilities and be able to invest in yourself and get mentors that actually guide you and help you grow in the right direction,” she said.
One of the participants, Towera Chirwa, Owner of Jet General Dealers, said the meeting was very beneficial to women since its focus was on financial muscles and gaining experience from other women.
“As women we are facing a lot of challenges like financial capital, which is the main challenge we are facing so these kind of meetings will help us to grow,” said Chirwa.
Chikwawa DC calls for increased NEEF beneficiaries, urges loan repayment
By Leah Malimbasa
Chikwawa, October 5, Mana: Chikwawa District Commissioner, Nardin Kamba called on the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to increase the number of beneficiaries in the district.
Kamba made the appeal on Friday during a consultative meeting organized by NEEF in Chikwawa.
He emphasized the importance of expanding NEEF’s reach to more underserved people in the district, highlighting the positive economic impact it has had on people’s livelihoods.
Additionally, Kamba urged current beneficiaries to promptly repay NEEF loans to ensure that others should access the loans.
In his remarks NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni said after accessing the loans people should treat the funds as a loan not a gift or a grant and should remember to pay back to NEEF.
Mdyetseni further explained that the consultative meeting was convened to report on NEEF's performance in Chikwawa and share plans to improve service delivery in the district.
NEEF held similar consultative meetings in Zomba, Blantyre, Mwanza and other districts in the south.
