Malawi will achieve MGDS II goals—Maseko
Malawi Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Grace Maseko says provision of small- scale rural infrastructures and ground preparation for future infrastructure development in the irrigation sector can enable Malawi to achieve Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS II).
The minister’s remarks come after she toured some projects, funded by the European Union (EU) through Rural Infrastructure Development Programme (Ridp) in Zomba and Machinga.
“I had time to visit Chipojola Irrigation Scheme; Naminga to Chipojola Road; Katundu, Mgwirizano, Songani and Chibvunde Road maintenance clubs and Chirunga Irrigation Scheme.
“This programme is in our ministry, we are trying to do a lot of other development initiatives in the rural areas. One of the initiatives of the programme is ensuring that we have good roads,” said Maseko.
Chipojola Irrigation Scheme is in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlomba in Machinga District. The scheme has 250 farmers 160 males and 90 females. A total of 50 hectares has already been developed. Crops grown include maize, tomato, onion, rice and leafy vegetables.
According to secretary for Chipojola Scheme, Fikisoni Kachere, in the 2012 irrigation season farmers planted about 38 hectares from which they realised K13.5 million (about $33 570) from crop sales.
“I have bought iron sheets roofed my house. I have also bought a push bike, a radio, goats and opened a hawker,” he said.
Water for irrigation is tapped from Zumulu River and to ensure sustainable supply farmers of the scheme have also embarked on catchment conservation and riverbank protection by planting trees.
The project has so far covered 17 districts in the country.
