Zomba people vow to ensure food security

Jalifu Village Development Committee in Zomba says the district has potential to feed itself if communities are empowered to produce their own food.

The committee’s chairperson Kennedy Dzuwa said this in the district on Monday when communities distributed 30 bags of maize weighing 70 kilogrammes each to vulnerable people, including the elderly and child-headed households.

He said: “Previously most of the communities were affected by hunger when relief food from either government or stakeholders failed to reach them.

“As a result of this, we felt duty-bound to start producing our own food.”

On his part, group village head Jalifu said this year they intend to increase their hectarage to 10 to boost output.

“We appeal to government and private sector to support us with farm inputs to meet the intended mission as resources are a major constraint,” he said.

The communities harvested 120 bags from 3.5 hectares in the last growing season.