Chauluka Irrigation scheme sounds SOS
Chauluka Irrigation Scheme in Ntcheu may soon be on the verge of collapse if no timely interventions are made to make it realise its full socio-economic potential.
This was disclosed when the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza recently toured the scheme.
The trip also revealed the scheme was far from making meaningful strides almost 15 years since its establishment with most farmers still using it for subsistence farming.
Among others, smallholder farmers at the scheme told The Nation in an interview that their efforts are usually hampered by lack of access to improved seed materials.
“One of the farmers, Ethel Zakeyu, said: “Our greatest challenge as potato farmers lies in getting improved seed materials. In the end, we keep on using same vines and this affects our yield.
“Our location, too, that include impassable roads at most times of the year doesn’t help matters as [agricultural] extension workers rarely visit us down here.”
In response, Chiyembekeza said: “It is indeed saddening to learn [about the situation], but this is nothing new. However, I need to hasten to say that much as government has a role to play, I still believe growing the country’s agriculture needs a multi-sectoral approach. The farmers themselves need to take a leading role in effecting the change to their livelihoods. Government can’t be doing everything on its own. It’s just not sustainable.”
Established by the communities in 2000 following perennial hunger episodes in the past, the scheme has over 100 farming families from villages around Traditional Authority (T/A) Njolomole in the district most of whom grow sweet potatoes, maize and vegetables.
