Evangelical Association of Malawi(EAM) has donated solar powered water pumps worth K2.6 million to two farmers field schools in traditional authorities Kalimanjira and Mphonde in Nkhotakota District.
Speaking after the handover ceremony on Saturday, Kalua Farmer Field School community based facilitator Lucia Samson said that previously they used buckets and water cans to irrigate their fields.
”With the solar powered water pumps, we will caltivate a bigger area,” she said.
On his part, Pasavute Farmers Field School based facilitator Chiza Haluma said the donation came at the right time when the soils are getting dry.
He said: “Irrigation is necessary to keep the soil moist for our banana fields.
“We have many customers who need suckers, but we could not meet the demand because we were producing little due to lack of equipment.”
In his remarks, EAM regional director of programmes (Centre) Amos Kalawi, said they wanted to support the two farmer schools grow their business.
“We expect farmers to grow crops during winter,” he said.
Nkhotakota District Council Official John Manda said irrigation farming was in line with pillar number one of the Malawi 2063, the country’s long term development plan.
“This pillar encourages agricultural productivity and commercialization.” he said.
The association is implementing Kulima Better Project in Nkhotakota and Salima districts.
Source: The Nation_September 21, 2021_By Stanley Nkhondoyachepa-Malawi News Agency