The Government of Malawi signed the Financing Agreement (FA) with the European Commission on 12TH October 2012 to support implementation of the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach (ASWAp) and Green Belt Initiative (GBI). The objective of ASWAp GBI is to contribute to Malawi Government’s objective of poverty reduction in line with the MGDS through increasing Agricultural productivity and food security of rural communities.
The European Union and the Malawi Government jointly commissioned Tchanga Irrigation Scheme in Dedza District in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kachindamoto. The scheme’s implementation period is 37 months (started in September 2016 and expected to finish in October 2019). The scheme comprises an overall command area of 154 ha, drawing water via a main canal from a weir and headworks located on the Nadzipulu River, 2km upstream of the scheme.Before the project, the scheme had only 10 hectartes. The scheme is benefitting 308 households (1,971 beneficiaries). The types of crops grown with support of the project include rice, maize, beans, tomatoes, cotton, onions, leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes and groundnuts. The works contract also included construction of scheme buildings which are complete. The Tchanga Irrigation Scheme is being implemented under the 10th European Development Fund through a grant implemented by CISP. The total budget for the project is Eur2, 664,257.44 of which the EU contributed 2,094,729, and CISP contributed EUR569, 529.
Crops under irrigation at Tchanga Irrigation Scheme
The Government of Malawi commended the European Union (EU) for funding irrigation programmes under the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, saying they will alleviate food insecurity in the country and economically empower people. “I commend the EU for this timely support. I am also aware that the irrigation sector will be supported with technical assistance for feasibility studies and capacity building under KULIMA programme, to which the Government of Malawi is grateful” said Honorable Kondwani Nankhumwa the Minister of Agriculture Irrigation and Water Development,
Representing the European Union Ambassador was Beatrice Neri who said the EU is committed to ensuring that the country develops more hectares of irrigated land. “Irrigation is key to agriculture especially for smallholder farmers who rely on rain fed agriculture” said Neri.
Neri also added that the EU is committed to building more of these schemes and ensure that there is an establishment of Water Users Association (WUA) and cooperatives to work together to manage the schemes, to champion environmental management and sustainability of the catchment area of the water source.
Chairperson for the scheme, Ludoviko Gomora expressed gratitude to EU for funding the project saying it would go a long way in uplifting the lives of people around the area in terms of food availability.
The function was patronised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development led by the Ho. Minister, EU Delegation led by the Head of Sustainable Agriculture, NAO SU led by the Head of Unit, Mr. Nations Msowoya, CISP Team, Dedza District Council Team, the surrounding beneficiary communities and the Media Team.
Part of the Tchanga Water Supply
Staff houses built under the Tchanga Irrigation Fund