Chakwera commends irrigation projects
President Lazarus Chakwera has expressed satisfaction with irrigation projects, saying they have the potential to boost agricultural productivity.
He said this on Tuesday at Ichinga Primary School Ground in Senior Chief Mwabulambya after inspecting the K6.1 billion Marko Irrigation Scheme launched in May 2022.
Said the President: “This scheme is showing that the Malawi 2063 vision is being realised and I can see that with this scheme, the recent drought did not have any effect. The fields are also encouraging.
“I am happy to learn that farmers benefitting from the scheme are taking good care of it. I think we also need good warehousing for the crops.”
He said people from other areas need to learn from the people of Ichinga, who they are determined to use farming to improve their socio-economic well-being.
Chitipa Central legislator Alinubwira Mwamusongole (Malawi Congress Party) thanked government for the scheme, but said farmers face transportation challenges due to bad roads.
“People fail to transport their goods and we ask if it is possible to construct a tarmac here,” he said.
Senior Chief Mwabulambya expressed excitement with Chakwera’s tour of the scheme, saying it was proof of his administration’s commitment to ensure food security in the country.
At Marko Irrigation Scheme, farmers plant maize, beans and Irish potato.
Marko and Mafinga irrigation schemes in Chitipa fall under the Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (Pride), a Department of Irrigation project, funded by the Government of Malawi and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
The project is running in 11 irrigation schemes in Chitipa, Rumphi, Nkhata Bay, Dowa, Machinga, Zomba, Chiradzulu and Phalombe districts.
