Community Receives Ikhanga Irrigation Scheme to Address Food Scarcity
Save the Children, with funding from USAID, hands over Ikhanga irrigation scheme to reduce food scarcity in Zomba district, Malawi.
ZOMBA, MALAWI — In an effort to combat food scarcity, Save the Children, under the Tilitonse Foundation and with funding from USAID, has officially handed over the Ikhanga Irrigation Scheme to the community in the area of Group Village Headman Fikira, Traditional Authority Mlumbe, in Zomba district, writes Peter Davieson.
The scheme, which spans 5.5 hectares, aims to address food security challenges in the region by providing a sustainable source of water for irrigation.
The community had expressed interest in the project, leading to an assessment conducted by engineers from the Titukulane Project and the Ministry of Agriculture.
The collaboration resulted in the establishment of the Ikhanga irrigation scheme.
Henry Khonyongwa, the food security technical coordinator for the Titukulane Project, expressed his satisfaction with the community's involvement in the project.
He stated, "We have worked with local artisans as well as local community members. These people have helped us in making bricks for building the canals, and the funds provided have been used for labour and purchasing materials such as cement."
Khonyongwa emphasized the importance of community ownership and maintenance of the scheme, stating, "Tilitonse has done its part, and now it is up to the communities around the scheme to take care of it."
He urged the community members to perform regular maintenance on the irrigation system to ensure its longevity and effectiveness.
Oscar William, the chairman of the Ikhanga scheme and a lead farmer, pledged to take responsibility for the scheme's upkeep and ensure that the community benefits from its implementation.
He stated, "We will plant vetiver grass along the canals to protect the area, and we are hopeful that the water supply will be consistent, allowing us to cultivate three times a year."
The Ikhanga irrigation scheme, initially covering 5.5 hectares, has the potential to provide water to over 12 hectares of farmland.
It currently supports 38 farmers from Group Village Headman Fikira and surrounding areas.
The scheme is expected to alleviate food scarcity and enhance agricultural productivity in the region, ultimately improving the livelihoods of the community members.