Community members in Traditional Authority Kalembo in Balaka have said the newly opened Nthotchi irrigation scheme will address food – insecurity in the District.
Speaking on Thursday when Find Your Feet Officially handed over the 28 million irrigation scheme to the communities , Bwaila Ward councilor Linda Mwapasa (Democratic Progressive Party) said the scheme will enable farmers to grow crops during winter.
“Balaka is one of the district that experiences drought so, the irrigation scheme is an alternative to rain- fed agriculture ,”she said.
In his remarks, Balaka district Commissioner Macloud Kadammanja said Kalembo is one pf the areas with the highest number of people affected by hunger. He said “most of this areas is prone to floods and at times experiences dry spell.
“Irrigation farming is one f the key priority areas in our District Development Plan as well as reforms agenda”
Kadammanja encouraged community members to take care of the solar- powered irrigation scheme. On his part, Find Your Feet executive director Mellina Mtonga said they supported the community with the irrigation scheme to improve food security.
The irrigation scheme was funded by World Food Progamme through Find Your Feet
Source: Nation_July 12. 2021_by Mary Makhiringa_Malawi news agency