Malawi Broadcasting Corporation
Agriculture Development Education Environment Feature

Irrigation farming: A lifeline for needy students

A heart-warming story circulates in Malawi’s educational circles about a young girl whose entire village gathered to escort her to the bus stage as she set off for university. This touching gesture highlights the immense value some communities place on education, especially when it involves a girl’s pursuit of higher learning.

However, the reality is that not all students who enrol in university complete their studies, with many facing  financial challenges.

According to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Malawi has over 62,000 students enrolled in various public and private university programmes. However, the enrolment rate for tertiary education remains less than one percent, far below the average in Africa and the rest of the world.

USAID also notes that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to complete their education. A stark example occurred three years ago when the University of Malawi (UNIMA) almost withdrew 85 students on financial grounds. In response, the government intervened to keep the students in school, however, for one student, Idah Chimenya, the experience motivated her to find a lasting solution to her financial challenges.

Chimenya working in her garden

Chimenya, an undergraduate at UNIMA, returned to her village in Phalombe and acquired a piece of land at  Mathithi Irrigation Scheme. Here, she began growing maize to support herself financially.

“It takes hard work to qualify for university, and it’s demoralising to be withdrawn due to financial reasons. While there are initiatives to help needy students, the demand for student loans far exceeds the supply. So, I decided to support myself by engaging in irrigation farming, and it’s been a game changer,” she says.

Chimenya believes that if young people are proactive and productive, they can overcome their challenges.

“I don’t regret joining Mathithi Irrigation Scheme. I’m now able to provide for myself financially. God willing, I will graduate next year, but it hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to balance my studies with my work in the fields. I mostly grow maize because it’s easier to manage than other crops. I’ve even bought a smartphone that helps me access academic materials, and after my next harvest, I plan to buy a laptop,” Chimenya adds proudly.

I am not lacking anything, irrigation farming has changed my life – Naminga

Another farmer at Mathithi Irrigation Scheme, Patrick Naminga, also testifies to the benefits of irrigation farming. Initially planning to venture into  fishing business, Naminga changed his mind and joined the irrigation scheme.

“Through this business, I’ve had great success. I own goats, cattle, and even houses. By the standards in this area, I can confidently say I’m not lacking,” he remarks.

The success of farmers like Chimenya and Naminga is due in part to the support provided by the World Food Programme (WFP), which has played a key role in the development of the Mathithi Irrigation Scheme.

By linking farmers to markets through the Home-Grown School Meals Programme, WFP ensures a reliable income for co-operative members. They have also provided training in collective marketing, post-harvest handling, and profitability analysis, enabling farmers to maximise profits from their efforts.

File photo: Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale, Inspecting a farm machinery piece.

In collaboration with World Vision International, WFP has improved the irrigation infrastructure by providing solar pumps, water tanks, and constructing canals to increase productivity. Additionally, they’ve trained farmers in aflatoxin prevention, ensuring the quality and safety of their produce while expanding market access.

The achievements of Chimenya and Naminga align with the goals of Malawi’s 2063 development blueprint, which envisions a transformed agricultural sector as a cornerstone for a self-reliant, industrialised nation. The plan advocates for the modernisation of agriculture through mechanisation, irrigation, and climate-smart technologies to enhance productivity.

It also highlights the need for value addition in agricultural products, aiming to develop agro-processing industries that create jobs and boost export earnings. Furthermore, it ensures that farmers, like those in the Mathithi Irrigation Scheme, are connected to markets, just as the WFP is facilitating through its programmes including the Home Grown School Feeding Programme.

#MBCDigital
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