NGO supports irrigation farming in Lilongwe

Farmers in Mngwangwa Extension Project Area (EPA) in Traditional Authority Mtema in Lilongwe have commended Africa Windmill for supporting their irrigation farming.

Speaking on Saturday during a field monitoring visit, a farmer, Libe Simeon said in 2015 the organisation installed a windmill at their irrigation scheme to pump water to their gardens.

He said: “We grow three times a year unlike in the past when we relied on rain for farming.

“This has enhanced our chances of generating income as our produce thrice a year as well.”

Simeon, who is a member of Tiyanjane Farming Club, said they will take care of the windmill after the project phases out this year.

Another farmer, Linley Eliya said she is able to support her family through irrigation farming.

She said: “I have constructed a decent house from proceeds from farming. I also ventured into livestock farming and have 20 goats and seven pigs.

“I am financially independent and food-secure as I harvest at least 30 bags.”

Africa Windmill country director Giboz Mphanzi said he was pleased with the project’s impact in the district.

He said: “As an organisation, we wished we had done more than this, but I regret to say the programme is in its last phase after 14 years.

“I thank the farmers for working hard to achieve food-security and accumulate assets from selling their produce.”

Village head Kamphinga commended the project for ending hunger in his area. He advised farmers to share the skills with others.

Africa Windmill has been in Ngwangwa and Chigonthi since 2015, drilling 1 500 farmers in modern agriculture technologies and giving them farm inputs.

The non-governmental organisation (NGO) installed 50 windmills in the district.