Farmers in Nkhata Bay District have praised the government for introducing the 2025 National Irrigation Strategy (NIS), saying it has given them renewed hope of growing crops such as maize throughout the year by improving access to irrigation farm inputs.
Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, launched the NIS in response to recurring adverse climatic conditions that have affected agricultural production particularly maize.
The strategy provides inputs and solar-powered irrigation pumps to farmers through loan facilities under the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).
Speaking on Thursday during a monitoring visit to assess input utilisation, one of the beneficiaries, Susan Mwenda, from Jembe Club in the area of Traditional Authority Thula, said due to the persistent rains the district experienced she failed to harvest enough maize.
However, she managed to secure two bags of fertilizer and seeds on loan giving her hope to harvest something in this winter season.
Another farmer, Wilson Ngwira, who serves as secretary for Chipambo Club, said each of the 50 members who received maize seeds and two bags of fertilizer have successfully planted their crops.
Principal Agriculture Officer at Nkhata Bay District Council, Gerald Nkhwekwe, expressed satisfaction with how farmers across all nine Extension Planning Areas are utilizing the loan inputs in the district.
NEEF Supervisor for Nkhata Bay Branch, Paul ChiguluMnthaka, said that about 58 clubs each with 50 to 100 members have been reached so far in the district and the programme is close to achieving its K1 billion loan disbursement target for fertilizer and seeds in the district.
By Chisomo Kambandanga, MANA
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