Communities in Traditional Authority Kumtumanji in Zomba expect a solar-powered irrigation scheme in the area will transform their lives.
Speaking on Monday when Zomba district commissioner (DC) Smart Gwedemula toured the 11-hectare irrigation scheme, group village head Nyundo said the irrigation scheme will enable households to grow more crops.
“Besides making families food-secure, the scheme will also boost sales of cash crops,” he said. Previously, people used water cans and treadle pumps to irrigate their crops.
“Many people will be motivated to venture into farming as irrigating crops will not be as tedious as in the past,” Said Nyundo.
In his remarks, Gwedenula said farming has become a big business that transform livelihoods. He said: “Malawi is blessed with abundant water and we need is technological innovations.
“This solar-powered irrigation system has the potential to improve food security in families and the nation at large. It can also create jobs and empower the community economically.”
The Dc commended The United Nations Development Programmes for funding the project. Zomba district director of agriculture, environment and natural resources Isaac Ali said for the past 25 years, people of the area have been using locally-made materials to irrigate their crops.
The scheme be officially handed over to the community next week Friday and is expected to benefit about 100 farming households.
Source: The Nation_January 14, 2021_by Solister Mogha-Malawi News Agency