Irrigation farming saves communities

Communities in Traditional Authority Ngabu in Chikwawa District are utilising Nkombezi River to cultivate maize along its banks.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, one of the farmers Evance Chipakuza, said there are 40 farmers who grow crops along the river banks using a diesel-powered generator to pump water to their farms.

“We did not want to just fold our arms and complain about hunger. When we saw that the river flows throughout the year, we saw an opportunity to utilise it for irrigation,” he said.

Chipakuza said he harvests at least 50 bags of maize from his garden.

“I have enough to feed my family and sell to get money to buy  household necessities,” he said.

Chipakuza, however, asked well-wishers to help them with three solar panels to power the generator, saying using fuel was expensive.

Another farmer Pemphero Chiona said he has bought a plot of land using proceeds from his farm produce.

Chikwawa District Council irrigation officer senior engineer Stuart Chibwana commended the farmers for utilising the river to grow maize.

He also advised the farmers to form cooperatives to enhance their bargain power.

Said Chibwana: “With Mikalango Extension Planning Area, we will lobby for support from the District Development Fund or Governance to Enable Services Delivery Fund to find solar panels and plant other irrigation infrastructure at the place.

“We wish that our farmers should take agriculture as business in line with the country’s long-term development strategy, Malawi 2063.”