Communities turn to irrigation farming

 Communities in Traditional Authority Chikho in Ntchisi District have turned to irrigation farming to improve food security in their area.

The people tapped water from a borehole that World Vision Malawi drilled in 2017 to supply potable water to five villages of Machemba I and II, Chinkhuti, Chambamtchira and KwaBisani.

In an interview, Nkhalamba Village Water Committee chairperson Sinodi Bisayi said the organisation tapped from the borehole when they discovered that its ground water level was high.

“Therefore, the organisation installed five taps in five villages  channels water from the source towards Nkhalamba Irrigation Scheme,” he said.

Cecelia Levison, a farmer at the scheme, said she started growing maize in 2017.

“We took advantage of the water which runs by gravity all the way to farms. I grow maize thrice a year. I use it for food and sell the surplus,” she said.

Besides maize, the scheme members are also growing tomato, cabbages, onions and mustard.

“We urge other community members to embrace irrigation farming to beat hunger,” said Levison.

Another community member Takhulenji Kandiyesa said although the district experienced prolonged dry spells this year, people are surviving on irrigation farming.

“People growing maize at the scheme have food but those waiting for the rains, are the ones complaining about hunger,” he said.

Nkhalamba Irrigation Scheme chairperson Watson Justin said there are 25 farmers who utilise the scheme.

“The scheme is a solution to food insecurity. We are grateful to World Vision for supporting farmers with knowledge on new farming technologies,” he said.

Ntchisi is among 23 districts which President Lazarus Chakwera declared to be food-insecure following the impact of El Nino and prolonged dry spells in the 2023/24 rainy season