An irrigation scheme that Eagles Relief and Development Programme International (ERDP) has established in Chikwawa will benefit about 100 households in the district.
According to ERDP Project Facilitator, Frank Kowera, climate change and its effects such as hunger, floods and environmental degradation can be contained if government and other non-governmental organisations join hands.
Kowera said this when he inspected a K10 million Vimvi Irrigation scheme ERDP set up in the district.
“We want to assist the government in alleviating the hunger situation in the country, therefore, the only way is to empower the community through irrigation both by using solar panels and treadle pumps, so that the families can have a surplus,” Kowera said.
He further said the decision to set up the scheme was hatched when the organisation met communities and the Village Development Committee last year where they agreed to establish the irrigation scheme in order to enable local farmers grow crops and eliminate hunger.
According to Kowera, there are 10 hectares with about 96 beneficiaries and each household will get 0.1 hectares.
Speaking after inspecting the scheme, chairperson of the scheme Patrick Nota said the project will change their livelihoods as crops grown on the scheme will make theme realise some income that will enable them send their children to school.
“We have been dependent on hand-outs from government for so long. We are very grateful for the gesture. We have been living miserable lives since the floods,” said Nota.
The project is funded by the UK’s department for International Development through Christian Aid in partnership with ERDP.
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