Deforestation threatens irrigation schemes—Chiyembekeza

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza says excessive deforestation is threatening the future of irrigation schemes.

He said this on Monday after touring Domasi Prison Farm in Zomba and Domasi Irrigation Scheme in Machinga where crop yield is declining.

“The amount of water coming to these areas is low because there is a lot happening upstream which is interfering with the flow of water. Unless we stop careless cutting of trees, it will be difficult to maintain the schemes,” said Chiyembekeza.

President of Domasi Water Users Association (Wua) Anderson Chapita said crop production has dropped becaus@e many farmers stopped growing crops due to shortage of water.

He called for government’s intervention to reverse the situation.

Speaking at Domasi Prison Farm commissioner of prisons responsible for farms and industry, Clement Kainja, said the prison produces 60 percent of its food through irrigation farming.

He, however, feared that the production will go down this year because of shortage of water. n