Current state of the road.
Around 1,500 farmers under the Wowo Irrigation Scheme in Phalombe are optimistic of realising higher profits from their produce once plans to construct a new 3.5-kilometre access road to the scheme materialise.
The initiative is being implemented under the Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE) programme.
Speaking to MBC Digital, one of the farmers, Charles Chimbira, described the road project as a game changer.
“We work hard, and we produce quality harvests, but we find it hard to take our crops to the markets because the road here is in bad shape,” said Chimbira.
Traditional Authority Nkhulambe of the area believes the 310 hectare scheme has the potential to develop the area, but limited access to reliable markets has long hindered progress for his community.
“Upon the completion of the construction works of this road, vendors will stop duping my people. When the road is fixed, farmers will have a wider choice of market,” said T/A Nkhulambe.
Meanwhile, the local leader said that to ensure the speedy completion of the road, those whose property will be affected by the construction works will not seek compensation.
District Lands Officer for Phalombe, Isaacs Madeya, said they expect the construction works to be completed within three months.
Oscar Uliri, Communications and Knowledge Management Specialist for the TRADE programme, said the intervention is part of efforts to help farmers maximise their profits.
“This is one of the reasons we exist. These farmers deserve better, and we will make sure that we enable them to make gains from their hard work,” said Uliri.
Wowo irrigation scheme was built by Pride Malawi, a sister project to the TRADE programme, through financial support from IFAD.
Construction of the road will be carried out by Mchinji Boyz Construction Company at a cost of approximately K276 million.
By Geoffrey Chinawa
