K198m food security project launched in Dowa

Foundation for Sustainable Irrigation and Development (Fisd) Malawi and Green Livelihoods on Tuesday launched a K198 million hunger mitigation project in Dowa District.

The project, funded by Danish Church Aid and launched at Chuzu Primary School, encompasses promotion of the right to adequate food and community resilience to the effects of climate change and has a three-year lifespan.

It will see the construction of a solar-powered irrigation scheme in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkukula in the district.

“We are trying to mobilise the community and empower them to ably identify challenges they are facing and map out solutions. We are also promoting a solar-powered irrigation system,” said Fisd director of programmes Kondwani Nanchukwa.

He said the project will also provide drought-resistant seed varieties to counter the effects of climate change, especially dry spells.

Danish Church Aid programme officer Asimenye Chitika said the project seeks to transform communities to ensure food security.

She said: “Communities should be empowered to achieve food security and we believe this project will accomplish that. We are working with Fisd and Green Livelihoods as our implementing partners and we believe the two organisations will deliver.”

Dowa district agriculture development officer (Dado) Aaron Kachimera said the district is among those most affected by hunger because of drought and flooding.

“The project is a long-term solution to hunger. This is not about handouts, but empowerment of the communities to improve crop production and increase household income,” he said.n