Mangochi starving amid plenty

Mangochi is endowed with three massive water bodies—Lake Malawi, Shire River and Lake Malombe.

However, farmers in Traditional Authority Mponda along Lake Malawi struggle with hunger and poverty.

This rainy season, they appear on course for another crop failure as prolonged dry spells scorch their fields amid worsening food insecurity.

Victor Malunda, a farmer in the area, says: “The rainy season started late, but I hoped to get a good harvest after applying fertiliser.

“Sadly, drought has wiped out all the hope.”

Most parts of Mangochi have received no rainfall for over three weeks.

The Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has forecast a short rainy season with prolonged dry spells in the Southern Region.

Chief meteorologist Yobu Kachiwanda says Mangochi is likely to experience dry spells of more than 10 days in February and March.

The wilting crop personifies the harsh effects of climate change and environmental degradation on agriculture, the lifeline for many households and Malawi’s economy.

Despite being along Lake Malawi, communities in T/A Mponda seldom utilise the country’s largest water body as irrigation infrastructure remains scanty.

Ironically, the area sits in the 830-hectare Mlambe Irrigation Scheme, designed to draw water from the lake.

However, it has been on-off since it was constructed in 2007 and farmers cultivate their plots in the rainy season though many are convinced that irrigation is their only escape from chronic hunger.

“As crops wilt due to dry spells, irrigation is the only way out,” says Malunda. “It guarantees us good harvests beyond the rainy season.”

According to the Mangochi Socio-economic Profile, the district utilises 2 067 hectares (ha) of its irrigable 27 000ha.

Recently, the Greenbelt Authority (GBA) took over Mlambe Irrigation Scheme to upgrade it into a megafarm.

The national megafarms idea envisions communities practising commercial agriculture, a shift from hand-to-mouth farming.

Last November, the authority and Mlambe Irrigation Scheme sealed a five-year deal which allows local farmers to use the land during the rainy seasons and the authority to cultivate the scheme when the dry season kicks in.

Shilpa Contractors have launched rehabilitation works worth K1.1 billion.

The project is expected to wind up within 120 days. It includes installation of irrigation pumps and backup generators, maintenance of water intake and construction of secondary canals.

As water flows from Lake Malawi to the canals that keep the plots moist for crop health, surrounding communities are getting ready to harvest at least two times a year.

Mlambe Water Users Association president Philip Nkwera says: “Since the scheme was constructed, we have not fully utilised the water from the lake.

“But now it is exciting to see a constant flow into the scheme.”

GBA board chairperson Wester Kosamu says the authority expects extensive commercial irrigation to begin by April.

“I’m happy that we have embarked on a new chapter in Mangochi. The authority must show seriousness in responding to the needs of Malawians following a call by President Lazarus Chakwera for us to venture into megafarms.”

GBA chief executive officer Eric Dudley Chidzungu says the support from both public and private investors can boost the country’s economic gains through commercial agriculture.

“The country has vast irrigable land that is yet to be developed,” he says. If well utilised, this land, coupled with adequate investment, could help address food insecurity and foreign exchange shortage.”

GBA plans to invest K300 billion investments in the next five to seven years to promote value addition and large-scale agricultural production.

The megafarms concept, launched by President Chakwera last September, seeks to irrigate over 63 000 hectares.

It also envisions increased farm mechanisation through the One-Stop Private Sector Megafarms initiative to benefit 844 medium and large-scale commercial farmers.

Mlambe scheme is expected to grow high-value crops to boost agriculture productivity and exports.

Agriculture commercialisation is one of the pillars of the Malawi 2063 long-term vision to self-reliance and socio-economic prosperity.

Chakwera envisages the mega-farms increasing agricultural production for domestic food security, income generation and export.

Sub-T/A Mambo of Mangochi commends the government for revamping Mlambe Irrigation Scheme for the purpose.

“It’s so painful that the people of Mangochi experience hunger when we have three vast water bodies within the district. If we utilise this endowment, we can feed the entire nation,” he says.

Mambo says the lakeshore district has waited too long and endured false promises for the irrigation scheme to take shape.