Ministry of Agriculture director of irrigation services Geoffrey Mwepa says the only way to improve food security is to invest in irrigation farming.
He said this on Tuesday after touring three irrigation schemes in Nsanje District where he appreciated the progress and challenges they are facing.
Mwepa visited Makoka Irrigation Scheme in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chimombo where the contractor assured him that they will complete construction works this week.
under irrigation. | Martin Gela Jnr
He said: “However, At Mlambe Irrigation Scheme in T/A Mbenje farmers failed to fully utilise the facility as five solar panels were blown off by winds.
“At Tiyanjane Irrigation Scheme, I appreciated high value crops that farmers are growing. The best thing I noticed there is that farmers are well-organised as they have a bank account and last year they bought a pump.”
Nsanje district agriculture, environmental and natural resources officer James Lichapa said they need more irrigation infrastructure such as boreholes and solar-powered systems to help farmers go into irrigation farming.
He said the district has 4 225 hectares (ha) for irrigation but little is utilised due to lack of infrastructure.
Said Lichapa: “Last year, about 59 percent of the population was food-insecure but this year only 25 percent is food-insecure after harvesting millet and sorghum.
“However, millet and sorghum only last two to three months; hence, the need to embrace irrigation to boost food security.”
Makoka Irrigation Scheme chairperson Chaipa Biasoni said the scheme will solve chronic food-insecurity in the area.
“About 300 potential farmers are geared to utilise 25ha at the scheme,” he said.
Angelina Viano Tsamkwimbi, a farmer at Mlambe Irrigation Scheme, said 90 farmers are struggling to utlise the scheme as wind destroyed solar panels.
“Once we replace the solar panels, we will harvest more maize,” she said.
