Minister hails irrigation scheme

Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale has expressed satisfaction with the progress of Mlambe Irrigation Scheme in Mangochi District.

He said this on Saturday after visiting the 800-hectare scheme run by Greenbelt Authority to appreciate progress of the project scheduled to open in May this year.

“I am pleased with the project’s progress. This is one of the megafarms the ministry is working with to beat hunger to achieve the aspirations outlined the country’s long-term development plan, Malawi 2063,” said Kawale.

Sub-Traditional Authority Mambo, who represented Senior Chief Mponda, thanked the minister for visiting the scheme.

“We count ourselves lucky because we have this scheme. The scheme will help communities grow crops anytime of the season, which will improve food security in the area,” he said.

Greenbelt Authority board vice-chairperson Regina Sambakunsi thanked the minister for commiting government’s support to the authority with funds to implement the megafarm initiative.

“We are now happy because the minister has assured us of more support in terms of funds. This will help us do more commercial irrigation farming in our schemes, including Mlambe,” said Sambakunsi.

Two weeks ago, the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Irrigation also visited the scheme to appreciate the progress.

During the visit, the committee’s chairperson Sameer Suleman pledged to use their influence in the National Assembly to lobby for more funding towards the authority to implement megafarm projects in the country.