Japan gives Malawi K61mil for irrigation

Farmers in Lifa Village in Blantyre and Kani in Chiradzulu have all the reasons to smile thanks to the K61 million Japanese funded irrigation schemes which will be implemented in the two districts by Gift of the Givers.

Minister of Agriculture Chiyembekeza(centre) with Ambasador Nishioka and Jakhura at the signing ceremony-picture by Manasse Nyirenda

From left Abdul Gaffar Jakhura and Shuichiro Nishioka signing the grant contract whilst Chiyembekeza looks on

The project was unveiled on Tuesday, during the signing ceremony at the Japanese Embassy in Lilongwe.

Speaking to the media after the ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Shuichiro Nishioka said Irrigation is crucial to the economy of the country which is mostly dependent on agriculture.

“Climate change has adversely affected rain-fed agriculture with almost 3million affected by hunger in the country, that’s why the Government of Japan decided to help with this grant,” said Shuichiro.

The grant will be utilized for construction of irrigation facilities as well as erection of overhead tanks for provision of water from submersible electric pumps.

Minister of Agriculture and Water Development, Dr Allan Chiyembekeza thanked the Japanese Government for continued support in various projects.

He further thanked Gift of the Givers for their innovative ideas in dealing with various challenges affecting communities in the country.

“The project will lead to better crop production in the absence of normal rains and will also provide clean and potable water for drinking purposes,” said Gaffar Jakhura, Chairman of Gift of the Givers.

The scheme will incorporate 100 farmers from each of the two districts and about 1200 people will directly benefit in Lirangwe, Blantyre and Nakuyu in Chiradzulu in terms of food availability and access to clean and potable water. At least 30,000 others will benefit indirectly from the catchment areas of the beneficiary villages.