A group of farmers operating under the name Mtendere Irrigation group has managed to find a remedy for the persistent drought that affect the lower Shire districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje by venturing into irrigation farming.
Using irrigation farming system, the group, based in Dzimphutsi village in the area of Traditional Authority Maseya in Chikwawa district has managed to avert the threat of hunger that has been wrecking havoc in their families.
The group’s leader January Chiwere has indicated that the farmers decided to form an alliance after noticing perennial hunger challenges that affected their families.
“We grew tired of facing hunger challenges every year despite the presence of fresh water which is available in abundance through the Shire river,” he said.
In January this year, Chiwere said the farmers, who are 52 in total, decided to unite and apply for a farm input loan from the state-run National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).
“Luckily, our K17 million loan application was accepted and processed which allowed us to venture into irrigation farming in March this year,” said Chiwere.
Through the loan, members of the group purchased necessary farm inputs, including seeds, fertiliser and PVC pipes for gravity-fed irrigation system.
“And each member cultivated maize on a minimum land of two acres each which allowed us to harvest a minimum of 50 bags weighing a minimum of 50 kilogrammes, translating into thousands of profit,” he added.
Through their venture, the farmers have since purchased 62 acres of land which they say will be used for irrigation farming.
Meanwhile, NEEF chief executive officer Humphrey Mdyetseni has expressed delight with the group’s exploits.
“As NEEF, we are happy that people all over the country are embracing farming as a means of survival,” said Mdyetseni.
