Mtemaumo Irrigation Scheme: A Lifeline for Smallholder Farmers in Malawi's Rural Areas
In Malawi's rural setting, agricultural activities remain a source of income for many households, writes Thokozani Beaton.
Blantyre, Malawi-In Malawi's rural setting, agricultural activities remain a source of income for many households, writes Thokozani Beaton.
These smallholder household farmers constitute a larger population and usually make their cultivation once every season in a year as they practice rain-fed farming.
If their farming meets unfavourable conditions and other climate change effects, it results in poor harvests and acute hunger.
But Mchenga smallholder farmers seek solace in a small-scale irrigation system at Mtemaumo Irrigation Scheme, which is located under Traditional Authority Somba in Blantyre and supports over 50 farmers.
Under this scheme, farmers cultivate various types of vegetables, including food crops, on an individual basis along the river that carries the scheme.
Pius Isaac, who is Village Headman Samkhweche and a beneficiary of the scheme, said the irrigation farming practised in the area through the scheme is improving food availability for many families and the general welfare of the people.
"This irrigation system has assisted a lot of families here and in other surrounding areas. Some families are able to produce enough food to see them through the next growing season," he said.
The chief added that through irrigation farming, the farmers are able to generate income and prepare for the next growing season.
He cited as an example the fact that some farmers are able to purchase farm inputs such as fertilizers and seeds in preparation for the next growing season.
"Mtemaumo Irrigation Scheme is a productive income-generating activity. It provides us farmers with a reliable source of income. We purchase farm inputs for our crops and vegetables as well as pay other bills after selling our products," added Chief Samkhweche.
Another beneficiary, Fanny John, agreed with the chief and praised the initiative as an alternative way of alleviating hunger at her house.
Fanny, a single parent since 2015 from Mbande village, explained that the farming activities they practice using an irrigation system have helped her over the years to fend for her family.
"I joined this scheme when it started in 2005. I have benefited a lot from irrigation farming. I have built a good house with resources realized from the sale of vegetables. In addition, I'm now able to pay tuition fees for my child at secondary school while taking care of my two other primary school-going children," she said.
Felia Barnet, the chairperson of Mtemaumo Irrigation Scheme disclosed to AfricaBrief that when the scheme was established in 2005, the farmers were using locally available materials such as bamboo to tap water from the upper river of Mtemaumo to irrigate their fields that are situated along the stream.
According to Barnet, years later, a well-wisher offered the farmers a modern irrigation system after noticing the community's zeal and efforts towards irrigation farming.
"In the beginning, we were practising a traditional kind of irrigation farming, then Mai Aisha Trust, a local organization, supported us with modern equipment and materials to put up this scheme, which we are using today," she narrated.
The group also received some training on irrigation farming in order to boost their capacity.
However, despite the successes that the farmers have registered, Chief Samkhweche said a lack of favourable markets for their products to fetch better prices is one of the challenges the scheme encounters.
He said farmers produce and sell their products individually.
Crops such as fresh maize are sold at the farms to vendors, while vegetables such as tomatoes, leaf vegetables, onions, and beans are sold at Chadzunda Market.
Thokozani Mwape an Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator (AEDC) for Ntonda Agriculture Extension in Blantyre District, told this publication that groups such as Mtemaumo Irrigation Scheme should evolve into cooperatives so that they are able to access and attract quality markets and fetch good prices for their crops.
"My advice to farmers is for them to aim at producing quality crops so that they are able to compete favourably with other crops on the market," Mwape concluded.