Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Benedicto Chambo, has urged communities in Zomba District to take ownership of donor or government propelled projects.
Chambo said this when when he visited Mlooka Irrigation Scheme in the District.
“Organisations come and go, what people should therefore understand is that whatever has been invested will remain theirs for good,” he said.
President of Water Users Association for Mlooka Scheme, Alice Ndomondo, said the Minister’s sentiments are in line with the communities’ philosophy.
“We used to depend on rain-fed agriculture but with irrigation, we are harvesting three times per year,” she said,
District Irrigation Officer for Zomba, Elason Musaiwa, said farmers within and around Mlowoka Irrigation Scheme have transformed from food seekers to providers.
Musaiwa said they expect to harvest over 365 tonnes of rice.
Mlooka Irrigation Scheme is on 157 acres and benefits thousands of people in Zomba, Machinga and surrounding districts.
By Emily M’mangisa, MANA
