The Greenbelt Authority has said it plans to rehabilitate an additional 200 hectares at Nkopola Irrigation Scheme in Mangochi District to increase winter cropping production.
Greenbelt Authority Chief Executive Officer Eric Chidzungu revealed this to The Daily Times in Mangochi District, where Agriculture Deputy Minister Benedicto Chambo visited Nkopola Irrigation Scheme to appreciate how it is faring since it started operations two years ago.
Chidzungu said during the most recent winter cropping season, the authority cultivated maize on 200 hectares.
“We have harvested the maize and are only remaining with 3 hectares to harvest.
“In total, we have 800 hectares but only 400 hectares are readily available for cultivation although 200 hectares of these need minor touches,” he said.
He revealed that 30 percent of the harvested maize had been given to community members around Nkopola Scheme based on the agreement which the authority signed with the locals.
“At the moment, community members have planted their own rain-fed maize and we will do the winter cropping from May this year. We are negotiating with the government to give us more funds so that we can cultivate on all the whole 400 hectares as we wait to rehabilitate the others,” he said.
On his part, Chambo challenged the Greenbelt Authority to be proactive in its work by exploring other funding windows.
He commended the authority for being vigilant in carrying out the government’s dream of increasing food production through irrigation.
“The Greenbelt Authority is key in ending hunger in this country. We have seen how it has managed to produce maize at Nkopola Scheme and the maize has been left in Mangochi to assist people who are food insecure. This is a very good example of how irrigation can change our story as a country,” he said.
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