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| Irrigation has potential to transform Malawi's food situation |
Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlilima of Chikhwawa District said on Saturday they are tired of being perennial beggars of food and would now want to intensify irrigation farming to fight hunger.
Mlilima made the remarks at Thabwa in the district when Member of Parliament for Chikhwawa North Grain Malunga was donating an engine pump to Medrum Irrigation Scheme.
The traditional leader noted that it was shaming for the two Southern districts of Chikhwawa and Nsanje, which experts say have potential to feed the entire country all year round if the Shire River was utilized for intensive irrigation farming.
“We’re tired of being beggars of food every year. Actually, we’re ashamed that we always survive on food handouts from government and other well-wishers,” said Mlilima.
He commended Malunga for the pump saying it will go a long way in the scheme’s plans to boost its irrigation farming.
“I would like to appeal to other well-wishers to assist us with more pumps so that we can grow more maize and feed ourselves,” he asked.
Medrum Irrigation Scheme chairperson Winnerson Chigaga said lack of engine pumps was one of the drawbacks to their efforts to increase production.
In his remarks, Malunga promised to offer necessary support to the scheme for it to realize its dreams of making Chikhwawa food secure.
“I’ll always be there for you; to support you in any way possible so that you can realize your dreams to feed yourself. We’ve enough water in this area; why should we die of hunger? Let us utilize this water and we’ll be able to feed ourselves,” said Malunga.
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