Food Security
On Saturday, September 7, 2024, Community Hope Initiative donated two solar irrigation pumps to farmers in Mpamba EPA, Nkhatabay district. These two pumps are part of a total of six, four of which had already been handed over to other beneficiaries earlier in the year. The donation is part of an ongoing effort to promote sustainable farming practices and improve agricultural productivity in the area.
Representing the Nkhatabay Agriculture Office, Mr. Kenneth Msukwa expressed deep appreciation for the timely support provided by Community Hope Initiative. He highlighted the urgent need for improved irrigation systems, as many farms have been drying up due to insufficient access to water. Most farmers in the area still rely on watering cans, which are inadequate for large-scale irrigation. With the new solar pumps, farmers now have the means to water their crops more efficiently and consistently
Speaking on behalf of his peers, Trywel Munthali expressed his joy and gratitude upon receiving the pumps. “This will go a long way in helping us irrigate our crops so that we can have a bumper yield. We have struggled with dry spells for too long, and this support brings us hope for a better future,” he said.
This pilot project, generously funded by Stitching Afrika and Wild Ganzen, is expected to benefit around 300 farmers in Mpamba EPA. The solar pumps will empower local farmers to cultivate more crops during both the rainy and dry seasons, leading to improved food security and income generation in the community.
However, the need for more irrigation facilities is still significant. Many farmers in the region continue to face challenges due to the dry spells, which have severely affected their crops. The provision of more solar pumps and other irrigation equipment is critical to ensure that all farmers have the tools they need to maintain their livelihoods and contribute to the local food supply.
To expand the impact of this initiative and support more farmers, additional funding is essential. We appeal to our current donors and other potential partners to consider extending their support to address the urgent irrigation needs in the area. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of these hardworking farmers and help them overcome the challenges posed by climate change and water scarcity.
Although farmers in Mpamba EPA are fortunate to have abundant water sources, particularly rivers, they face a significant challenge: they lack the necessary resources to transport this water to their crops. While access to water is not an issue, the tools and equipment to make effective use of it are scarce. Most farmers rely on basic watering cans, which are time-consuming and insufficient for covering larger areas of farmland. This has led to a decline in crop yields, especially during the dry season, when efficient irrigation is critical.
The solar Irrigation pumps donated by Community Hope Initiative are a game-changer for the farmers, enabling them to access and distribute water from nearby rivers to their fields. This technology not only saves time and labor but also ensures that crops receive adequate water to thrive, even in times of drought.
However, the demand for more irrigation resources remains high. With the region’s vast water sources, it is crucial to equip more farmers with the necessary tools to tap into these rivers and irrigate their crops effectively. Expanding the availability of solar pumps and other irrigation technologies could unlock the full agricultural potential of Mpamba EPA, leading to better food security and improved livelihoods for the entire community.
In light of this, we appeal for additional support to provide more irrigation facilities to the farmers in need. By investing in sustainable irrigation solutions, we can help these farmers fully utilize their natural water resources and ensure a brighter future for their families and communities.
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Malawi Agricultural Commercialisation – AGCOM Project
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
