Small-scale farmers in Chikwawa District have asked stakeholders in the country to assist them with solar panels to power their irrigation farming. The call was made on Thursday in the area of Senior Chief Ngabu during a day-long visit Circle for Integrated Community Development (Cicod) in conjunction with Trocare made to the area. Farmers, under Khama Lipindula and Bauti schemes in Ngabu area, said solar power could help them boost crop production. “Solar may actually be a better otion as we´re now finding it difficult to operate our treadle pumps using energy from our bodies We envy our friends who are into solar-powered irrigation as it is nor only viable but also helps them maximise profits,” said Filiyasi Chapangoti, Khama Lipindula Scheme Chairperson.
Cicod Programme Manager, Edward Thole, said his organisation was committed to helping farmers embrace new technologies. “Basically, we´ll not necessarily buy them solar panels but, rather take them through a process from which they will be able to purchase panels o their own using proceeds of their output,” Thole said. Agricultural Extension Development Officer under Mikalango Extension Planning Aria, Kennedy Kampira, applauded Cicod for reaching out to rural farmers through lead farmers. “With lead farmers in place, thanks to the initiative of Cicod, small-scale farmers are being trained to mitigate [climate change effects] and adapt to risks. This has helped farmers build resilience to climate change,” Kampira said. Cicod, with support from Trocare, is implementing a project dubbed ´Drought Resilience Building for Sustainable Livelihood; and is implementing it in the areas of Senior Chief Ngabu and Sub-Traditional Authority Ngowe in Chikwawa District.