By George Mponda

Karonga, March 11, Mana: President Lazarus Chakwera has said farm mechanization is one of the key interventions his government is promoting in eradicating hunger in the country.

Addressing a gathering of people at Wovwe Irrigation Scheme in Karonga on Monday, Chakwera said the use of modernized farming methods, like what is being applied at the scheme, leads to realization of high and bumper yield with limited investment.

“Wovwe Irrigation Scheme has been rehabilitated and the use of mechanized farming methods will speed up and lessen use of human physical power, thereby realizing increased yield.

“This scheme and other projects taking shape here portray the type of development we need as a country. It is good to see that people from all over Malawi have been involved in this scheme for a very long time. Such approaches will contribute to the achievement of Malawi 2063,” said Chakwera.

In his remarks, Senior Chief Mwirang'ombe hailed the President for initiating various development projects in Karonga District.

The 700-hectare Wovwe Irrigation Scheme was established in 1969 and currently has 1,777 beneficiaries.

It has an estimated seasonal yield of 3,350 metric tonnes of rice with an estimated value of K3.7 billion.

The scheme has been rehabilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture under the Programme for Rural Irrigation Development to enable it become one of the prominent and proactive mega farms in Malawi.