The ministry of Agriculture has advised the citizenry to take responsibility in the maintenance of various irrigation schemes for sustainability of the schemes.
Minister responsible for agriculture Sam Kawale made the remarks when he launched the construction of Chipofya irrigation scheme in Rumphi district.
According to Kawale, government plans to renovate existing irrigation schemes as well as construct new ones with an aim of reducing the overreliance on rain-fed agriculture to boost agriculture productivity.
Kawale said currently about 60 thousand hectors of land has been developed for irrigation out of the 200 thousand hectors of land which has been earmarked for irrigation across the country.
He said if well managed, government expects to harvest farm produce in excess of 300 thousand metric tonnes by December 2024 thus working towards ensuring food sustainability.
However, Kawale has bemoaned the tendancy by communities of keep knocking on government door asking for assistance to renovate irrigation schemes saying it is high time irrigation schemes were run as business entities so that they generate enough revenue some of which should be used to cater costs for maintenance works.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe of Rumphi district has described the scheme as a timely investment towards addressing the issue of hunger which is recurring every year saying if well managed, such schemes have the potential of feeding the whole country.
And on his part, Noel Maluza of Malbro a representative of contractors tasked to construct the scheme, while pledging the construction of a quality and durable infrastructure has urged community members not to vandalise or steal construction materials as such has the potential to delay construction works.
The Chipofya Irrigation Scheme is a 11 billion kwacha project which is part of governments plan to resuscitate irrigation farming across the country through the Program for Rural Irrigation Development-Pride.
