Farmers in Traditional Authority Njombwa in Kasungu District have said they are ready to venture into winter cropping after receiving equipment and inputs from National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef).
On Tuesday, Neef handed over 100 bags of fertiliser, maize seeds and a solar powered water pump worth K30 million to Ntanga Women Irrigation Club in the area.
In an interview, the club’s chairperson Matren Phiri said the loan will help them to grow crops on a large-scale.
She said: “We have been waiting for this opportunity because ever since we started irrigation farming in 2018, we have been cultivating on a small-scale using hired water pumps.
“This is why we are excited that we now have our own solar pump.”
Senior Chief Njombwa thanked Neef for the loan, saying it was in line with government’s efforts to alleviate hunger in the country.
He urged the farmers to utilise the opportunity to produce more crops for food and sale.
In his remarks, Neef zone manager for Mponela Lloyd Nyakamera said the loans will avert hunger caused by harsh climatic conditions.
He said Neef is committed to supporting government’s efforts to attain food security through irrigation agriculture.
“The initiative seeks to curb hunger and boost the country’s economy through contributions from smallholder farmers. These smallholder farmers will have enough food and sell the surplus,” said Nyakamera.
Neef is encouraging farmers to embrace irrigation farming to complement what they get from rain-fed agriculture.
