NEWS:

30 Nov, 2016


The PS handing over one of the solar pumps to T/A Chadza
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Mrs Erica Maganga on Monday 28th November 2016 commended LUANAR for promoting irrigation farming among small holder farmers.


Speaking when she visited T/A Chadza area in Lilongwe where LUANAR is implementing an Agricultural Innovation Partnership Programme, the PS acknowledged the fact that for the past two years the country has not been able to produce enough food due to erratic rains.


“As a Ministry, we have decided to promote irrigation farming. In addition we are encouraging farmers to use the right varieties of hybrid seeds which yield more,” said Mrs Maganga.


She said it is for this reason that LUANAR is being commended for encouraging irrigation among small holder farmers.


“I am very impressed with what LUANAR is doing. The University has introduced irrigation farming using solar pumps which is relatively cheaper compared to other irrigation methods such as motorized pumps,” said the Principal Secretary.


She said her Ministry is very grateful for the initiative and would like to request other equally capable institutions and organisations to emulate what LUANAR is doing to ensure that more small holder farmers are engaged in irrigation farming.


In a sideline interview, Dr Vithal Karoshi, the Programme Coordinator said the programme which started with promotion of seed production, is now also promoting irrigation farming.


He said after realizing that most farmers in T/A Chadza area like farmers in most parts of Malawi practice crop production during single cropping season from December to April, LUANAR decided to come up with a pilot ,model to develop water resources through two way approach by run-off rain water harvesting and seepage well development.


“The other important issue is efficient use of water through a demonstration of pilot solar based irrigation,” said Dr Karoshi.
He said seepage well is now piloted at T/A Chadza and water from this well is used to irrigate crops such as maize, beans, tomatoes, onion and cabbage and about 2200 tilapia fish fingerlings have been recently releases in the well.


“Two run-off rain water harvesting structures have been demonstrated and ponds are lined with geo-membrane to conserve harvested water to use for supplementary irrigation and to encourage off-season crops production. About 20 small holder farmers are involved in the pilot water resources development with 15 acres of drip irrigation system, said Dr Karoshi.


During the visit five solar irrigation pumps bought with funding from USAID were donated to some farmers.


Written By: Patricia Nkhoma