Women farmers commend project

Women farmers in Mchinji have commended the Women Economic Empowerment Project for enhancing food security in the district and improving their income.

One of the beneficiaries, Geneveva Nyamaulo of Traditional Authority (T/A) Simphasi, said this yesterday in an interview.

She said the project has improved food security through the provision of farm inputs and agricultural advisories.

“I am a member of Chiwoko Cooperative through which I have adopted the use of proper farming methods,”  said Nyamaulo. 

She said they grow maize, soya beans and groundnuts which are drought resistant.

The women cultivate the crops as a group and share the profits.

Another beneficiary, Georgina Gama from T/A Nyoka said they add value to groundnuts which also generate more money.

African Institute of Corporate Citizenship project manager Rashid Mpinganjira said they implemented the project to empower women economically through groundnuts value chain.

He said: “Basically, we wanted to promote productivity of groundnuts with reference to climate change as well as markets’ accessibility.

“So, we helped the farmers with early maturing varieties such as CG 7 and 9.”

Mpinganjira said they are pleased to see the women reinvesting the proceeds into other businesses such as goat production.

He said the project is working with 15 cooperatives which mostly cultivate groundnuts.

The project is also being implemented in Mzimba North with funding from Standard Bank  plc through UN Women.