A 41-year-old agriprenuer Wiseman Helton has managed to turn his life around economically through farming.
Helton, based in M’bwatalika Village in Traditional Authority M’bwatalika in Lilongwe has managed to graduate from subsistence farming to commercial farming through investment in irrigation farming.
The agriprenuer has told ProjectM in an interview that he decided to invest in irrigation farming after growing frustrated with the effects of climate change.
“I do own over 18 acres of arable land which I used to cultivate during rainy season, but surprisingly, the harvests I used to get could barely sustain my family,” he said.
In 2025, Helton decided to take a gamble by obtaining a farm input loan from the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).
“When my loan application was accepted, I received 50 bags of fertiliser, 250 kilogrammes of beans and maize seeds along side a solar powered pump for irrigation system,” said Helton.
Using the materials, Helton hit the ground running in March this year, cultivating crops such as Maize, Beans, vegetables and Irish potatoes on his farm.
“Three months later, the story changed as I harvested a lot of Maize and Beans which made me profit in excess of K15 million,” he added.
Helton used part of the profit to expand his venture by purchasing extra land, bringing the total acreage to 28.
“And on the extra land, I cultivated Irish potatoes that are now close to harvesting stage and I anticipate to realise over K60 million in profits once I sell the potatoes in early October,” he said.
Meanwhile, NEEF spokesperson Dan Chakhaza has expressed excitement with the news.
“We are glad that a farmer who used to struggle, is now on the path to prosperity,” he said.
