Deputy Minister of Agriculture Benedicto Chambo has expressed optimism that the Shire Valley Transformation Programme in Chikwawa District will play a key role in improving food security across the country.
Speaking during a visit to the project site on Wednesday, Chambo emphasised the importance of shifting from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation farming.
“If the people stop relying on rain-fed agriculture, they will be harvesting up to three times in a season instead of once,” he said.
He further urged contractors to expedite the construction process to ensure that Malawians start reaping the benefits of the project as soon as possible.
“I have also advised the contractors here to do the job quickly for our people to start benefiting and for President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera’s vision of having a food-secure nation,” Chambo added.
The chairperson of Kambadwe Cooperative, Samson Beyadi, said they are prepared to take full advantage of the initiative, which is expected to benefit 15 cooperatives.
“We have already been trained on cooperative management and accounting,” Beyadi said.
Beyadi further disclosed that Kambadwe Cooperative will cultivate maize, mangoes, groundnuts, and soya beans on their 111-hectare farmland.
The irrigation project, which aims to construct a 118-kilometer canal, has so far completed 38 kilometers.
By Leah Malimbasa, MANA
