by Felix Malamula
Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Sam Dalitso Kawale says government wants to see farmers graduate from subsistence farming to commercial farming, emphasizing that this is the only way Malawians can sustainable move out of poverty.
“We are putting in place such infrastructures to help you farmers grow crops that will not only assist in achieving food security but also move out of poverty through growing of crops for commercial purposes,” said Honourable Kawale.
The minister was speaking at Bolero, in the area of Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi district when he launched construction works of Chipofya-Jenjera Irrigation Scheme.
“I would love to see you all utilise the scheme to its maximum capacity once construction works are completed so that you can grow crops that will help you push yourselves out of poverty,” added the minister.
Construction of Chipofya-Jenjera irrigation scheme brings the number of schemes already constructed and under construction to eight (8).
Schemes already constructed under Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE) are: Mafinga and Marko in Chitipa, Lingoni in Machinga, Matoponi and Mlooka in Zomba and Wowo in Phalombe district. Mzenga irrigation scheme in Nkhata Bay is currently being constructed.
Speaking at the same event, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe thanked the government for the scheme which, he said will go a long way in spurring development in his area at both household and area level.
“We are grateful to government for this new scheme. For years, we have been looking forward to this day. This is why you are seeing beautiful faces around here,” said Chikulamayembe.
Chipofya Irrigation Scheme will be constructed by three companies – PAMS, Mount Carmel and Malbro International and will be under the supervision of Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC) in joint venture with Dasan Consultants Co. Ltd in association with L. Gravam Consulting Services Ltd.
Government through the funding support of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has set aside MK11.7 billion for construction of Chipofya-Jenjera irrigation scheme.
Chipofya-Jenjera irrigation scheme boasts of 983 hectares and once completed, 4559 farmers are expected to benefit from the scheme.