Malawi MPs Laud Progress of Shire Valley Transformation Program
The project aims to boost agricultural productivity and food security through improved irrigation infrastructure in the Shire Valley region.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi— The Malawi Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Irrigation has expressed satisfaction with the significant progress made on the Shire Valley Transformation Program (SVTP), a major irrigation project in the country's southern region, writes Noel Chimwala.
During a site visit on Saturday, the committee's Vice Chairperson, Hon. Ulemu Chilapondwa, commended the work done so far.
"We have seen all sections of this canal which are almost done, and we are impressed and satisfied with the progress," Chilapondwa said.
He added that the committee would lobby for more funds to ensure the project's continuity.
"It is our mandate to help with the allocation of money during the budget, so when it comes to lobbying for funds, we will ensure that this Shire Valley Transformation Program has more resources to prevent any stoppages," Chilapondwa stated.
Geoffrey Mamba, the Principal Secretary for Irrigation Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, welcomed the parliamentary delegation's visit and expressed optimism about the project's potential impact.
"As a ministry, we expect that Malawi as a country will benefit more from this project in the sense that hunger should be eradicated, and we will no longer rely solely on rain-fed agriculture but focus on irrigation," Mamba said.
"Our farmers should be getting water from main canal by year's end."
The SVTP, a 14-year program spanning from 2018 to 2031, is being implemented by the Malawi Ministry of Agriculture with funding from the Government of Malawi, World Bank, African Development Bank, Open Fund for International Development, Nigerian Trust Fund, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The project aims to boost agricultural productivity and food security through improved irrigation infrastructure in the Shire Valley region.
Chikwawa District Commissioner Nardin Kamba assured the delegation that the council and stakeholders are dedicated to ensuring the program's progress according to plan.
He also highlighted efforts to enhance security in the SVTP area to attract investors without fear of insecurity.