Mwasip transforms people’s livelihoods
Farmers in Traditional Authority Kunthembwe in Blantyre District have said the grants they received under Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (Mwasip) have transformed their livelihood.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Mulamundiwe Farmers Club treasurer Ellen Jackson said they ventured into potato and mushroom farming after receiving the grant in 2023.
She said they chose these crops because they have the capacity to boost their economic status.
“We have been facing various socio-economic challenges, as such, we agreed to grow potatoes as a club and as individuals,” said Jackson.
She said the 19-member club is constructing a warehouse to store the potatoes.
“The warehouse will also act as a shelter for our meetings,” said Jackson.
On her part, Tigwirizane Club secretary Linly Gwaza said they also plan to construct a warehouse.
“We want to protect crops from theft and harsh weather conditions,” she said.
Mwasip technical team member Andrew Chamaza said the World Bank grants are meant to improve crop productivity as well as support agri-enterprise interventions.
He said: “The farmer groups were selected based on their active participation in the implementation of sustainable land management practices.
“We noted that there were no clear market linkages between farmer groups and agri-enterprises and in few instances, some failed to use the funds for intended purpose.”
At least 137 farmer groups and 43 enterprises have received K3.6 billion and K2.2 billion, respectively.
The beneficiaries are from Blantyre, Balaka, Mangochi, Zomba, Ntcheu, Neno and Machinga districts
