NGO for megafarms to boost food security
shares his views
Shire Valley Transformation Movement, a local non-governmental organisation (NGO), has embarked on a megafarm initiative to boost food security in Nsanje District.
On Tuesday, the NGO engaged community members from Traditional Authority Ndamera on the initiative.
During a meting at Madani Village, farmers gave mixed reactions.
Alice Meke said she was willing to offer her land to develop an irrigation megafarm.
She said: “I already struggle to realise bumper yields because of lack of fertiliser and due to extreme weather conditions such as drought.
“I believe the NGO has the capacity to put the land to good use since it will grow the crops under irrigation.”
On the other hand, Mirriam Fatchi said she could not give her land to the organisation for five years.
“This is my land where I grow sweet potatoes and vegetables which I sell to earn an income. I feel this organisation is coming here to grab our land in exchange for money,” she said.
Ndamera Area Development Committee chairperson Maliki Ganizani said every year people do not harvest anything due to drought or lack of money to buy fertilisers and good seeds.
“Therefore, turning into a megafarm is a good idea. But the land owners will decide whether to offer their farms for the initiative,” he said.
Shire Valley Transformation Movement programmes and administrative manager Nelson Dinyero said they want to develop the megafarm for five years, growing maize to sell to the people around the area at lower prices.
“We will pay them monthly through bank accounts for nine months every growing season. We will also put them on medical schemes,” he said.
The NGO will use machines on the megafarm and modern farming practices, including the use of organic manure.
