Malawi Farmers Seek Irrigation Solar Pumps from Government, NGOs
CADECOM is implementing this advocacy project with financial support from Irish Aid through Trocaire in Balaka, Machinga, and Chikwawa districts.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi— Farmers in Chikwawa district are lobbying the government and non-governmental organizations for solar-powered irrigation pumps to boost their agricultural output, writes Noel Chimwala.
Beatrice Kandiyado, vice chair of Tiyanjane Farmers Organization Scheme in Traditional Authority Masache, said Saturday that farmers currently use buckets to water 4.5 hectares of farmland.
"The water we use is not enough," Kandiyado said.
"We would like to be assisted with solar pumps to solve this challenge and boost our irrigation farming."
The farmers grow various crops including maize, beans, vegetables, and potatoes. They also face challenges such as lack of seeds, pesticides, and fertilizer.
Ilyas Abdul Karim, member of parliament for Chikwawa South Constituency, pledged to include the solar pump initiative in the 2024-25 Constituency Development Fund budget.
"We are going to secure some CDF funds so that irrigation pumps are given to this group," Karim said.
Aaron Kandiwo Mtaya, national programs coordinator for Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM), said the organization is implementing a five-year project to empower communities to advocate for their needs.
CADECOM is implementing this advocacy project with financial support from Irish Aid through Trocaire in Balaka, Machinga, and Chikwawa districts.