Cyclone Ana wreaked havoc on Malawi's agricultural, energy prospects-Chakwera

Chakwera said Cyclone Ana has had a significant impact on Malawi's agricultural and energy prospects, with the country's national grid losing nearly 130 megawatts from the Kapichira Power Station.

Chakwera and the First Lady during the tour

Malawi: President Lazarus Chakwera said Cyclone Ana has had a significant impact on Malawi's agricultural and energy prospects, with the country's national grid losing nearly 130 megawatts from the Kapichira Power Station.

The Malawi leader said that, similarly, there had been a significant setback in the construction of the Shire Valley Transformation Programme, a mega irrigation farming infrastructure.

Chakwera stated this on Wednesday, October 12, while touring the Shire Valley Transformation Programme and Kapichira Power Station in Chikwawa district to appreciate the progress of rehabilitation work and encourage technocrats and communities to keep up the good restoration work.

Said the president:

“I am glad that the power lost from Kapichira Station will be fully restored by December this year while the irrigation project is being repaired to its original state to facilitate operation commencement in 2024.

What we have seen today is reassuring. A sustainably food-secure Malawi through Agricultural productivity and an energy-adequate economy are well within grasp.”

Meanwhile, two representatives from the five registered SVTP cooperatives, Martha Francisco and Chief Mpando from Chingalumba and Mulambe Cooperatives, respectively, made presentations on commercial farming readiness.

The SVTP, whose construction began in April 2020, was conceived in the 1940s as part of the colonial government's integrated development plan.

The first phase of the project will cover 52 kilometres, but the entire project will span 118 kilometres from Kapichira Dam to Bangula.

In phase 1, land has been secured for 48,175 landowners across 45,833 land parcels (22,299 hectares), and 14 large commercial farms ranging from 500-1600 hectares will be established.

The project is expected to benefit 83,700 land parcel owners, with 5 cooperatives already legally registered.