NEWS:

26 Sep, 2016


Kimathi demonstrating on how the pump is being used
About 50 farmers from T/A Chadza area in Lilongwe are all smiles after an Agricultural Innovation Partnership (AIP) project with support from USAID, has donated five solar based drip irrigation pumps worthy 3000 USD which will allow them to grow different types of crops throughout the year.


T/A Chadza who was present during the demonstration of one of the pumps to the farmers on recently hailed USAID through the Agricultural Innovation Partnership (AIP) for bringing the pumps to his area saying they will go a long way to assist farmers who previously depended on rain-fed agriculture.


“As I have seen here, the solar pumps have a potential of increasing agricultural productivity in my area hence families will be food secure. We thank USAID and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural resources (LUANAR) for the project,” said T/A Chadza.


Future Pump Marketing and Partnerships Manager Kinya Kimathi, a company which is supplying the pumps said the solar pumps which have been designed to be used by small holder farmers even in the remotest areas.


“The pump is very simple as compared to other forms of irrigation pumps. It is portable and can be used by more than one farmer and the risk of being stolen is not there as farmers can always take it home after irrigating their crops,” said Kimathi.


She said it is also ideal for farmers operating in clubs who can buy as a club and use in their respective fields.


“We recommend crops with shorter cycles such as vegetables so that a farmer is able to grow them for about four times a year,” said Kimathi.


AIP Programme Coordinator, Dr Vithal Karoshi said the project decided to donate the solar pumps to the farmers to give them a chance to be able to grow crops more than once the year.


“Initially farmers could only grow crops depending on rains hence we believe that the coming in of these pumps will enhance food security in the area hence promoting their livelihoods,” said Dr Karoshi.


Apart from working with farmers, the programme has included innovative ways of engaging both undergraduate and postgraduate students from designing the interventions, research, marketing as well as their engagement with farmers in the field.


Written By: Patricia Nkhoma