The wait for an irrigation scheme in traditional authorities Ntchema and Ntholowa in Chiradzulu District is finally over after International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad) unveiled plans to construct the facility in two months.
Speaking on Saturday during a community meeting at Nazombe Community-Based Childcare Centre (CBCC), Ifad country director Bernadette Mukunyora said the project’s resources have been mobilised and contractor procurement is at an advanced stage.
“In two months we will come here with the contractor to launch the construction works,” she said.
Mukunyora said Ifad has been waiting for government’s additional funding and is pleased that resources were allocated in the 2026/27 National Budget that rolled out on April 1.
She assured farmers that lessons from eight other irrigation schemes constructed under the Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (Pride) will make Nazombe Irrigation Scheme one of the best in Malawi.
“The challenges we faced in other schemes will not be faced here because those schemes have been our learning points,” she said.
Chiradzulu district commissioner Ellestina M’mame thanked Ifad for renewing its commitment to construct the scheme, saying it will go a long way in improving people’s livelihoods.
“This scheme will be a fountain of socioeconomic development,” she said.
M’mame urged communities around the project to cooperate with government and Ifad to ensure smooth completion.
On her part, Chiradzulu district irrigation officer Julia Qoto said the project will help address food security in the district.
“Farmers are struggling with food, income and nutrition insecurity as well as poor agricultural practices. As such, this scheme will bridge those gaps,” she said.
Once completed, the scheme will enable farmers along Namadzi River to cultivate two to three times a year.
One of the farmers, John Bonongwe of Sabuni Village, T/A Ntchema, expressed gratitude for the project.
