Communities store maize to beat hunger

Village savings and loans groups (VSL) members in Traditional Authority Chikulamayembe in Rumphi District have embarked on an initiative to store maize for consumption during the lean season.

In an interview on Wednesday, one of the beneficiaries, Beatrice Chawinga, said they learned that failure to prepare for the lean season was one of the factors that leave people desperate for food.

“I joined the initiative two years ago to ensure that I save enough food for my six children. I do not want my husband to struggle feeding the family during the lean season,” she said.

Chawinga said since 2020, her family has not experienced food challenges.

“We save 50 kilogramme of maize every month after harvest until December,” she said.

The VSL agent Justin Nyirenda, who is responsible for storing the maize, said the grain banking initiative was introduced three years ago in the area on a pilot level.

“We initially involved five villages to alleviate hunger in the area, but now interest has grown and more people are joining,” he said.

Nyirenda said the initiative has saved families from collapsing as there is enough food to give to children.

The initiative is funded by Danish Church Aid and Norwegian Church Aid through Small Producers and Development and Transporters Association.