Despite the current hunger situation in the country, some people from Traditional Authority Kaphuka in Dedza District have devised mechanisms to survive by reserving maize and beans after harvest.
The initiative, dubbed grain banking, has saved about 40 households from group village head (GVH) Nyanga from the brink of starvation.
On Saturday, the households received three bags of maize each, 15 kilogrammes of beans and K20 000 for the lean season.
GVH Nyanga, the brain behind the initiative, said they came up with the initiative in 2010, and it has been instrumental in helping the community combat hunger and poverty ever since.
The chief said the initiative evolved from a village savings and loans group.
He said: “As members, we incorporated maize and bean farming to our savings initiative. After fulfilling our household needs, we started lending excess produce to neighbouring villages at a reasonable interest rate. This year, we have amassed 600 bags of maize, 40 bags of beans and a significant cash reserve.
“We are distributing these resources among our members and extending loans to those in need.”
Myanga said Self Help Africa supported the initiative with goats, fertiliser, fruit seedlings and conservation agriculture skills.
A member Eveta Gibsion, 76, said before the initiative, she struggled to make ends meet.
“But the initiative is now helping me to provide for my seven grandchildren,” she said.
Self Help Africa sustainable production, economic growth accountability and resilience programme coordinator Bulton Mwale said the grain bank has helped communities to properly manage their farm produce.
“Nyanga Grain Bank is in line with the concept of Self Help Africa where people need to bring their harvest at one place during harvest so they can share during the lean season,” he said
