Government Pledges to Revamp Cyclone-Hit Irrigation Schemes for Food Security
Government to revamp irrigation schemes to restore functionality, ensure food security.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi— The government has announced its commitment to revamping irrigation schemes severely affected by the devastating tropical cyclone Freddy, with the goal of restoring their functionality and ensuring the country's food security, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
Agriculture Minister Sam Kawale made this declaration on Tuesday during a familiarisation tour at the Nazolo Irrigation Scheme, located in the area of Traditional Authority Maseya in Chikwawa.
Impressed with the farmers' efforts in cultivating crops twice or more in a year since 2011, Kawale emphasised that achieving food security is a top priority for the government, and this goal can only be realised if all irrigation schemes are fully operational.
During the tour, the minister also took note of the challenges faced by farmers, including water shortages, limited access to seeds and chemicals, and difficulties in finding markets for their produce.
Ephraim Kabudula, one of the farmers at Nazolo Irrigation Scheme, expressed gratitude for the minister's visit, which he described as encouraging for the local farming community.
Kabudula, however, raised concerns about the critical issue of water scarcity, which hinders the smooth operation of their agricultural activities.
"We have a very low supply of water to meet the demand of 223 farmers, each with an area of 0.2 hectares," Kabudula lamented.
Moreover, the farmer pointed out that the lack of financial resources has made it challenging for communities to purchase pesticides, affecting their ability to protect their crops effectively.
The government's commitment to revamp and restore the irrigation schemes is a crucial step towards enhancing agricultural productivity and achieving food security in the country.
Efforts to address the challenges raised by the farmers, such as water scarcity and access to essential resources, are essential to supporting and uplifting the farming communities in the region.