CCAP urges Malawi to embark on irrigation programme

Blantyre synod of the CCAP has told government to initiate an irrigation programme on a lager scale as an alternative to the prolonged dry spells that threatens food security.

Blantyre Synod general secretary Alex Maulana said this when the synod officials met President Peter Mutharika on Wednesday at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.

Maulana told the President to think of large scale irrigation instead of relying on unpredictable rains.

“We know that this would require huge sums of money. At present, government can engage companies to grow maize on large scale that can feed the nation,” said Maulana.

On Saturday, President Mutharika led the nation in praying for rains.

Some church clerics have been preaching that the continued dry spell in some parts of the country is as a result of sin with others saying God is punishing Malawi over its stance on homosexuality.

However, weather experts and international organisations like Oxfarm and Unicef have warned of prolonged dry spells in some parts of the country and devastating floods in other areas.

Maulana said the government should now take the Green Belt initiative seriously.

Mutharika hailed the synod for being a true partner of government in development.

The President said the government and church should always work together for the upliftment of people’s lives.