APM orders Malawi water boards to venture into large scale irrigation
President Peter Mutharika has directed all water boards in the country to venture into large scale irrigation programmes to avert persistent food shortages in the country blamed on El Nino weather phenomenon.
Mutharika said this on Friday when he officially commissioned a K6.4 billion World Bank funded Salima Water Supply Scheme.
“We have water that is supplied in our homes, we have water that irrigates our gardens… but we don’t have water that irrigates our crops, what is the problem? Provide water to our farmers, I want you to supply to farmers wherever you can. I must receive your plans by mid June,” Mutharika said.
The President this week declared Malawi a state of national disaster following persistent acute food shortages because of El Nino powered heavy rains in the north and El nino powered drought in the south leaving the central region. To feed a population of close to 20 million people.
“We have a lot of water but what we need is skills and resources,” he said.
Mutharika said if the water boards initiated irrigation system takes off, Malawi would be food secure in two to three years time.
He said Agriculture is now the priority of all priority areas of his government nd irrigation is the main focus.
“If we do this, we will be back on track in two to three years, there will be no food shortages. We will do that,” said Mutharika.
Mutharika thanked the US government for the US$50 million food aid pledge, saying this is a third of what Malawi needs in this food shortage period.
Malawi is expected to have 2.4 million metric tonnes of maize this year out of the need three million metric tonnes needed, putting over three million people in dire need of the staple food.
Irrigation is not mandate for water boards. Look into their strategic plans, and there is nothing on irrigation. The State President and the Minister are really ignorant of their own institutions
this is crazy the boards are failing to give enough drinking water
supplies how can they will be able to produce more water for irrigation and what are the duties of the irrigation department
ulimi wotaya madzi… kikiki
Putting in place irrigation schemes has been talked about for years and years and yet nothing is done up to this day. Malawi has rivers that have water throughout the year and of course a fresh water lake. None of then have been harnessed for irrigation by small holder farmers. Some dams were built during Dr Banda’s days, but that was long time ago. Since then, nothing has been done. Dams have potential not only to provide drinking water but also irrigation schemes. While it is true that Water Boards would be part of the planning for putting in place… Read more »
Maprofessor enawa. i can bliv this, just like mhango
Where is the Green belt program Mr President?
Mtima siuvala Sanza. Failing to fulfill drinking water obligations and you want to add this? Mukunamiza ndani? Pathetic policies.
they are failing to do their core activity and u want to add another task to them. You are confused, professor
zoona abwana zichitike zimenezo,enanu you alws find faults in wat munthu says y?Felix jumbe uli bho I saw u in a blue cape!!!!!!!!!wabwera kumablues !!!!!!
A wise idea but should be entrusted to the relevant authorities .