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| Features |
| Food security hopes raised |
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by
Moses Michael-Phiri, 14 December 2006
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07:52:46
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Somewhere in Balaka South where Shire and Rivirivi rivers meet live people whose livelihoods have faced so much pain over the years.
A visitor to this area will have difficulties to understand how these people survive economically.
The soil is sandy hence easily loses water. Agricultural production is low because of inconsistent rainfall patterns. To crown it all, most of the people are poor as they do not have strong economic activities.
These people under Traditional Authority (T/A) Mkaya and other parts in this area cannot easily manoeuvre as most perennial rivers cannot be easily crossed and most of the roads are impassable. Bridges in most parts are torn and unusable.
Train is the only trusted direct mode of transport to the area. Other locals are cashing in by using their bicycles to transport people and goods from one place to the other.
Economically the people of Balaka South are weak as they spend most of their incomes earned from selling charcoal to finance their food needs since maize can not successfully be grown because the rains for years has been ceasing when the maize is at knee length.
Annual rainfall are reportedly lower. Records from the National Statistical Office (NSO) show that the district receives between 300 and 900 mm of rain.
Evans Beer Chisale, a peasant farmer, says ever since he settled in that part of Balaka life has been tough.
“As Africans we valued to have our own land. But the land that we own here is barren. The soil is bad [Makande] and the rains are poor.
“Every year there is hunger in this part of the district as people can not harvest enough food for their families let alone for selling,” he laments.
Balaka district commissioner Rodney Simwaka also laments the poor road network in the district.
He says the problem is compounded with the shortage of rains and poor soils. These factors, he said, will make it difficult for the district to develop.
Working together with the Malawi Social Action Fund (Masaf) people in T/A Mkaya’s area have embarked on a path to modernity by first defeating hunger.
Over 80 people drawn from the villages are working on Bimphi Irrigation Scheme along the snaking Shire river.
The irrigation scheme is an 8.2 square kilometre project where government through Masaf has pumped in K3.4 million kwacha.
Over 50 people already own a plot in the scheme that will be producing close to 1,250 (50 kilogrammes) bags of maize per harvest.
Witness Peter Likhomo, a treasurer for the scheme, says the scheme has brought hope to the families in the area.
Started in September 2004 the irrigation scheme is already producing a sweet smell of success because in a month time people will harvest the maize.
Skeptics fear that the irrigation scheme might affect the environment and the banks of the Shire River.
The scheme is about 500 metres away from the Shire River where water is pumped from.
However Deputy Minister of Environment, Mines and Natural Resources Ernest Malenga says the new scheme is not a threat to the environment. Instead, he said, it will economically empower people of Balaka South reduce wanton cutting down of trees for burning charcoal.
He says the project is responding to government’s desire to improve food security.
“The project can even expand to start growing watermelons and other vegetables for the export market. There is huge potential in the project and I have hope that it will transform the people economically,” he says.
The farmers themselves view the project as an agri-business that will put money in their pocket.
The farmers hail the close cooperation between government and non-governmental organisations for the support rendered to people of Balaka South who had seen nothing good for past 12 years.
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