A total of 150 families in the area of Traditional Authority Kumtumanje in Zomba District are set to benefit from a new three-year irrigation project aimed at combating hunger and improving food security.

The initiative, known as the Matandani Community Irrigation Scheme Project, will establish a 12-hectare irrigation scheme by 2026.

Speaking during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting on Thursday, Godfrey Mfiti, Executive Director of the Institute of Sustainable Development (ISD), said the project is designed to address persistent food insecurity in the area.

“This initiative will not only provide irrigation infrastructure but also empower the beneficiaries with skills in agroecology, value addition, agribusiness, and marketing,” Mfiti said.

He disclosed that beneficiaries will be organized into a cooperative and trained in business management to enhance access to both local and international markets.

In addition, the project will focus on sustainable farming practices, including training farmers to produce organic manure and pesticides.

“Yields per hectare have been declining due to the high cost of fertilizer and poor land management. This project will promote best land management practices to maximize productivity and ensure land conservation,” Mfiti added.

Zomba District’s Chief Agriculture Officer, Misheck Chawala, welcomed the project, highlighting its potential to increase crop production.

“We are currently struggling to achieve food security. This project could enable farmers to grow crops up to three times a year instead of just once,” Chawala said.

He further noted that the district has strong potential for irrigation farming due to its abundant water resources, but a lack of infrastructure has been a major constraint.

“This project will help bridge that gap for small-scale farmers,” he said.