The parliamentary committee on agriculture has expressed concern over the country’s continued lack of access to clean water and persistent food insecurity despite the availability of abundant water resources in Lake Malawi.
The concerns come as 31 out of every 100 people in the country still do not have access to clean water, while millions remain at risk of hunger.
In an interview with MIJ Online, Anthony Kamoto chairperson of the committee said the country, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, needs to invest more in water infrastructure.
Kamoto said women across the country continue to walk long distances in search of water despite an agriculture policy that states every family should have access to portable water close to their homes.
Meanwhile, Erica Maganga Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development acknowledged the challenge, saying the ministry has plans to ensure that more Malawians gain access to to portable water.
She added that the ministry has also launched the Water Sanitation and Hygiene Compact, which has been endorsed by the President Peter Mutharika, saying the initiative will help the ministry attract more cooperating partners to support water projects in the sector.