By Blessings Tambala:
President Lazarus Chakwera has reaffirmed the role of irrigation in Malawi’s efforts to combat persistent hunger worsened by climate change.
Chakwera made these remarks during a visit to Ntaja in Machinga, where he inspected government-led development projects.
He said solar-powered irrigation farming could ensure households have adequate food for both consumption and sale.
The President also stressed the necessity for collaborative efforts transcending political, tribal and religious differences to achieve the goal of eradicating hunger.
“It is evident that our country has been severely affected by hunger, largely due to climate change impacts such as lake and river flooding and droughts.
“To effectively tackle these challenges, we must prioritise irrigation farming due to increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns,” Chakwera said.
He also condemned the smuggling of food donations intended for vulnerable Malawians, labelling the practice as detrimental to development.
Paramount Chief Kawinga of the Yao people reported that three children have died this year due to hunger, which he said was affecting numerous families in Machinga.
Kawinga attributed the deaths to maize shortage at Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation depots in the district.
The paramount chief further urged the government to expedite the completion of the Nayuchi and Chingale- Lirangwe road projects in Machinga.
During a meeting with Chakwera at his headquarters, Kawinga highlighted what he described as the adverse impact of poor road networks on the district’s development.
“We have waited a long time for these road improvements and wonder why progress has been so slow. The Nayuchi Road is only partially constructed, leaving the remainder in a poor condition,” Kawinga said.
In response, Chakwera acknowledged the challenges posed by inadequate road infrastructure and assured that the government was committed to delivering development projects in collaboration with its partners.
During his tour, Chakwera also inspected the ongoing construction of Ntaja Health Centre and inaugurated Phase 9 of the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme at Joho Trading Centre.
0 Comments