Micro Irrigation Eases Smallholder Woes
Since 2020, around 5,160 independent farming households have benefited from the initiative in 22 Agricultural Planning Areas.
MCHINJI, Malawi - A new initiative aims to help smallholder farmers in Malawi's Mchinji district through micro irrigation projects, writes Judgement Katika.
The Assemblies of God Care (AG-CARE) has started rehabilitating clean water access in local areas under its Sustainable Food Systems for Rural Agricultural Transformation and Resilience (TRANSFORM) program.
This includes a new shallow well borehole in Katopola village to support drip irrigation.
"Smallholder farmers will benefit from micro interventions for drip irrigation in relation to the access of water at household level," said Takondwa Phanga, project manager for AG-CARE.
The initiative is funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy through the joint country program of Norwegian Church Aid and Danish Church Aid.
"The project focuses much on WASH interventions through trainings to sanitation entrepreneurs for the safety of people regarding hygiene," Phanga said.
Christopher Mwale, Traditional Authority of Kawele, said the intervention will help address challenges from lack of clean water access.
"Previously, many people used to suffer from waterborne diseases due to lack of access to clean water but with the intervention this will assist us in many ways," Mwale said.
The year two funding for the project was K796 million directed to all project interventions.
"This access to water can be life-changing for small farms," Mwale said.
Since 2020, around 5,160 independent farming households have benefited from the initiative in 22 Agricultural Planning Areas.
It's being implemented in Mchinji, Dowa, Kasungu, Mzimba and Rumphi districts.