By Robert Nayeja

Chikwawa, April 13, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, says government is committed to invest more in irrigation farming as one way of ensuring that people have enough food in the country.

Kawale made the remarks on Friday after touring Nkhathe Irrigation Scheme in Chikwawa.

He said his ministry will continue to empower schemes by providing necessary support so that farmers can produce more and make their families food secure.

"Malawi has experienced various natural phenomena such as dry spells and floods. This is a clear indication that, as a country, we cannot rely much on rain fed farming.  We need to put much resources in irrigation and provide solutions that irrigation farmers are facing in order to increase productivity," he said.

Kawale said his ministry will provide both technical and material support in order to enhance productivity in irrigation farming.

"We have seen problems that Nkhathe Irrigation Scheme and other schemes in the country are facing. As government, we are committed to take necessary actions so that we can address these challenges as we keep ensuring that irrigation schemes are operating smoothly and contribute positively to social economic development of the community and the nation at large," he said.

Nkhathe Irrigation Scheme Treasurer, Bernad Byone, said the scheme is experiencing low water supply due to the high demand of water for irrigation and has since asked government to intervene.

"Everyone has now discovered that irrigation farming is the way to go especially this time as the country is experiencing dry spell. This has made demand of irrigation farming grow in our area resulting in insufficient water for irrigation," he said.

Byone asked government to provide the scheme with high quality seeds and fertilizer.

The 243 hectare Nkhathe Scheme has 1,506 farmers.

The scheme grows crops such as maize, rice, and sweet potatoes.