Plan Malawi installs 44 rain gauges in Mzimba

Plan Malawi in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services has installed 44 raingauges in extension planning areas (EPAs) in Mzimba.

In an interview after handing over the equipment at Kazomba EPA yesterday, Mzimba district climate change and meteorological services officer Masautso Phiri said the instruments are crucial in enabling farmers to build resilience to extreme weather shocks.

“The instruments will also help us to manage floods and droughts and alert farmers on such weather trends,” he said.

In her remarks, Kazomba EPA agricultural extension development coordinator Chrissy Kawonga thanked Plan Malawi for the instruments, saying they will improve agriculture services in the district.

“This is the first time we, as an EPA, are having this instrument and we are grateful because it will help us in managing rainfall amounts and rainfall dates,” she said.

Plan Malawi programme facilitator Misheck Chirwa said his organisation installed the rain gauges to increase resilience, food security, nutrition and income security to farmers.

Plan Malawi is implementing a project called Better Kulima (farming is the way to go) in partnership with Self Help Africa with funding from the European Union.