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The Malawi Red Cross Society has sourced 400 treadle pumps from the International Federation of the Red Cross for distribution to farmers in selected three districts one in each of the three regions of the country, a senior official has disclosed.
Malawi Red Cross director of programmes Lawson Kasamale said in an interview the 400 treadle pumps will be distributed to 400 farmers in Mzuzu, Machinga and Salima as part of the society’s contribution to the fight against food insecurity in the country.
He said the society will also distribute free seed and fertilizer to the recipients of the pumps.
Kasamale said the three districts were identified by the Ministry of Agriculture, which is also distributing treadle pumps in other areas of the country, including the three districts, for winter cropping.
He said the pumps are part of the society’s long-term solution to the food insecurity problem in the country in addition to free food distribution the society conducted last year.
He said the pumps will be distributed as a revolving fund and farmers will be expected to pay K9,000 within a period of three years so that more pumps can be bought and distributed to other farmers.
Speaking before the distribution of 133 pumps to farmers in Chipoka Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Salima on Friday, Kasamale said the society will work hand-in-hand with the government through an irrigation officer they have hired.
The irrigation officer under Chipoka EPA, Charles Mwalabu, said in an interview, the farmers who have already received some pumps from government will be monitored through their clubs to ensure that the pumps are used for the intended purpose.
“We have a mandate to withdraw pumps that are not being used for the intended purpose and distribute them to other farmers. The idea is we want the pumps to be utilised, especially for winter cropping,” he said.
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