Mega farm to produce 500MT of maize

Nyamithambo Irrigation Scheme in Chikwawa District, which Greenbelt Authority (GBA) turned into a mega farm, is set to produce 500 metric tonnes (MT) of maize.

A tour of the 250-hectare (ha) scheme on Sunday established that tilling is underway on the 100ha allocated for maize cultivation.

In an interview on Monday, GBA board chairperson Wester Kosamu said they will invest K100 million in maize cultivation.

He said: “We have started utilising the 100ha which has all irrigation infrastructures and we expect to harvest 500MT.

“However, we will grow maize three times next year and we will harvest 1 500MT. Our goal is to make Chikwawa a national food basket.”

Kosamu said they will consult the Presidential Delivery Unit and other stakeholders on how they can progress with the remaining 150ha which will require, a water reservoir, a dam, secondary and tertiary canals.

“Once we get funding for the 150ha, we will grow crops such as pepper which is on high demand on the global market,” he said.

GBA agriculture production manager Mesiah Moleni said they started tilling the land on November 23 2022 using two tractors, but progress delayed due to mechanical faults of the tillers.

Nyamithambo Farmers Association secretary Petro Vumbe said besides improving food security, farmers will generate income from selling their produce.

In October this year, GBA embarked on rehabilitation works of the scheme, in Senior Chief Ngabu’s area, to the tune of K338 million.

Meanwhile, Kosamu said he was impressed with the construction of a K500 million dyke along Lalanje River that will protect Mwananjobvu Irrigation Scheme in Traditional Authority Ngowe in the district from flooding.