The Greenbelt Authority (GBA) has made a fresh commitment to revamping projects in the Lower Shire which are aimed at enhancing agriculture productivity.
This was hinted when new board members held an orientation tour to Mwananjobvu Scheme which falls under Traditional Authority Ngowe and Nchalo site in Chikwawa district.
During the exercise, local authorities were quick to state that stalling projects including those meant to run irrigation schemes like at Mwananjobvu are frustrating communities.
According to Traditional Authority Ngowe, the communities cannot just understand why here are some facilities idle for so long.
‘’We have had difficulties in convincing our people of these idle buildings which could assist them irrigate all year long in their farms and under cooperatives. That is why today, we are glad that the new board saw if fit to see for itself what has been happening and the potential that farming around this area would offer. Our ultimate hope therefore is that, this will not just end with a visit of this sort but a call to ensure we are back to operate, ‘’he said.
According to Regina Sambakunsi, Vice Board chairperson, the authority requires about MK3 Billion to facilitate sought progress at Mwananjobvu describing the task as dependent on resources.
She however said the new board has laid out initiatives which aim at ensuring there are enough funds to carryout projects that have for years stalled.
‘’We share concerns of the people here and they cone when we are already set to implement strategies aimed having required funds available. For instance, we seek to engage banks to prove us loans that may put us back to these goals. These schemes must operate. You will however appreciate that government has been stretched over the years given various issues including disasters, ’’she said.
She added that until now, the authority has also been getting a nod through the Presidential Delivery Unit for funding and will also capitalize on other available projects under the ministry of agriculture.
She says inline with the 2063 national development goal; the Authority will continue taking means to sustainable irrigated agricultural production and productivity through well developed and managed infrastructure for comprehensive utilization of land and water resources as well as effective service delivery.
Over ten thousand communities have been benefiting directly and indirectly through such projects which also including the mounting of dykes which prevent flooding.
Some of the crops grow include cotton, maize and rice.
The Greenbelt Authority is a government corporation established under the Greenbelt Authority Act No. 23 of 2017 from the Greenbelt Initiative. The aim of the organization is to champion large-scale commercial irrigation through efficient use of land and water resources in order to accelerate socio-economic transformation of the country.
The Authority seeks to transform Malawi into a wealthy nation with assured livelihoods and sustainable utilization of land and water resources.