Villagers abandon irrigation scheme in favour of food handouts
People in the area of Chief Tengani in Nsanje have abandoned an irrigation scheme in what authorities say deliberate move to have food shortages inorder to have food handouts.
Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has since warned the people who are not utilising the Ntolongo irrigation scheme will be delisted from social protection programs.
Speaking on Thursday during an engagement with communities in the area, Commissioner Charles Kalemba described it as unfortunate that the farmers have no interest in working and improving their food and income security.
The African Development Bank (ADB) supported the construction of one irrigation scheme and the rehabilitation of four irrigation schemes in the district after they were damaged by cyclone Ana.
Kalemba also lamented the theft of materials at the Ntolongo and Makhapha irrigation schemes.
Group Village Head Ntolongo claims crops in the irrigation scheme in question have been drying up because the water being used to irrigate their crops is saline. The district’s agriculture officials have played down the excuse.
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The book of dead aid says it all!!!! Human centered design and Asset Based community development are key to better implement projects in these rurals. One cannot practice irrigation and go to farm on empty stomach that’s why they are choosing maize over that scheme because that’s what they are lacking at that particular time