The European Union is supporting implementation of the Agricultural Sector Wide Approach Programme (ASWAp) and the Green Belt Initiative (GBI) with financial resources amounting to EUR 69 million. The programme aims at contributing to Malawi Government’s objective of poverty reduction in line with the Second Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III). The specific objective is to increase agricultural productivity and food security of rural communities. Some of the notable projects initiated under component 2 of the ASWAp &GBI includes development of seven medium and large-scale irrigation schemes, construction of the Bwanje Dam, upgrading and rehabilitation of 1,200 km rural feeder roads connecting farmers to markets, and the establishment of the Irrigation Fund to leverage resources among others.
On 2nd of July 2019, the Government of the Republic of Malawi and the European Union jointly commissioned Bwanje Dam and officially handed over the facility to the community for use. The Dam has a storage capacity of 5.6 million liters of water and was constructed using 11.2 million Euros from the European Union. The Dam will benefit 1,778 households through the 800 ha irrigation scheme.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, President Peter Mutharika hailed the European Union (EU) for financing the Bwanje Valley Irrigation Dam Project in Dedza District, saying it is a game-changer for the surrounding communities and the country at large. “The Project is important to the country especially communities in Bwanje Valley as it will help to eradicate hunger and improve their socio-economic well-being.
On her part, the EU Chargé d’Affaires a.i., Virginie Lafleur Tighe, reiterated the European Union commitment to supporting Malawi achieve economic growth as evident by the dam which she said will transform the livelihood of the rural farming families in the country. She said that the construction of the Bwanje Valley Dam, which is the largest irrigation dam in Malawi costing over 11 Million Euros, simply reflects the EU’s strong commitment to supporting rural farming families and to helping Malawi adapt to climate change.
Apart from the Bwanje Project, the EU is also funding several irrigation schemes covering approximately 1,900 ha and benefiting more than 42,000 farming families in Nkhotakota - Chiligali Irrigation Scheme (150 ha), Dedza -Tchanga Irrigation Scheme (155 ha), Salima – Lifuwu Irrigation Scheme (156 ha), Lilongwe -Mtete Irrigation Scheme(90 ha), Chikwawa -Mwalija Irrigation Scheme (95 ha), and Rumphi -Ntchenachena Irrigation Scheme (90ha) .
Aerial view of the 5.6 million cubic liters capacity Bwanje Dam
