Items filtered by date: May 2025

By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, October 30, Mana: Mpoya -Mdere Rice Scheme farmers in Machinga toured Mua irrigation scheme in Nkhotakota to learn scheme management and other best agricultural practices to turn the Machinga scheme into an agribusiness thing.

Mpoya-Mdere scheme farmer, Agnes Sifa said the tour to Nkhotakota was ideal adding that apart from learning irrigation farming in general, she and the rest of the farmers learnt financial management.

Sifa who is also board of trustee chairperson added that Mpoya Mdere scheme has challenges in managing finances, which prevents the scheme from doing farming as business. 

Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Projects (MWASIP) facilitated the Nkhotakota learning tour, which also provided farmers opportunity to exchange knowledge and experience in rice irrigation farming.

“We also learnt how scheme management committee and board of trustee operate to ensure effective scheme management,” she said, adding that the visiting farmers also learnt effectiveness of Bua-Water Users Association (WUA).

She explained that introduction of membership fees and byelaws that govern the scheme were things Mpoya Mdere Scheme needed to emulate to ensure sustainability.

Agricultural Extension Development Officer (AEDO) for Ntubwi Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Machinga,  Kondwani Kadewere said was impressed that Machinga farmers learnt a lot from their Nkhotakota counterparts.

The AEDO expressed hope that the Machinga farmers will implement what they learnt from the experienced Bua farmers.

“This was a learning tour and l know that they have learnt a lot from fellow farmers in Nkhotakota that farming should be regarded as business,” he added.

President for Bua WUA, Alfred Chiweza hailed the World Bank funded MWASIP for facilitating the learning tour, saying this was also an experience sharing opportunity.

He therefore encouraged collaboration among the Mpoya-Mdere Scheme members and to put in place byelaws that should help to govern the scheme for better results.

A consultant working with MWASIP, Norius Kayira said Bua Irrigation Scheme was a better thing to learn from and expressed hope that the visiting Mpoya –Mdere farmers will implement what they learnt during the tour.

She added that collaboration and good financial management were key issues for successful agribusiness.    Bua Rice Irrigation Scheme has been operating since 1976.

By Catherine Chikopa & Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, October 30, Mana: Communities in Thyolo District have hailed government for implementing various social protection programmes such as the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and Climate Smart Public Works Programme (CSPWP), which are improving their livelihoods.

During the launch of Social Protection Week on Tuesday, a representative of the beneficiaries, Hamilton Lyson from Kadzuwa Village in Traditional Authority Bvumbwe said the programmes have positively impacted their community.

“The money we receive helps us buy fertilizer, food for our families and even livestock, enabling us to better support ourselves,” he said.

Lyson also appealed to government and its development partners to continue supporting the programmes, emphasizing their critical role in sustaining families’ livelihoods.

Another beneficiary, Ellen Mwanga added that the programmes have allowed their families to become self-sufficient.

“With the SCTP and CSPWP, we can now provide for our families without external help. Most of us used to beg from other people but this came to an end," she said.

Senior Chief Inkosi Bvumbwe said the CSPWP is helping participants to practice climate smart agricultural practices leading to more sustainable farming practices.

District Commissioner for Thyolo, Hudson Kuphanga expressed satisfaction with the programmes' progress, noting that beneficiaries have been able to purchase livestock, such as goats.

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Jean Sendeza disclosed that K900 million has been allocated to cover four months of payments for beneficiaries who had not received funds previously in Thyolo.

By Vincent Khonje

Mchinji, October 30, Mana: Participants of the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) in Nathyola Catchment in Mchinji are now reaping the benefits of financial empowerment through the formation of a village savings and loan (VSL) group.

After earning wages from their involvement in afforestation and natural regeneration projects, the participants established a COMSIP group to further enhance their financial stability.

Community facilitator, Michael Zyalura from Chamveka COMSIP Cluster in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mlonyeni said, COMSIP approached them to form the VSL group, and they did not hesitate to do so, saying they are now benefitting from the savings and investments they have made.

“After working on the environmental projects under the CSEPWP, the participants were told of the importance of having savings and loan groups, which led to the formation of Tikondane and Chamveka COMSIP groups under Chamveka Cluster,” said Zyalura.

The chairperson of the Tikondane COMSIP group, Andsen Mvula, said that being in a COMSIP group has improved the lives of its members.

“From the savings, members have accumulated assets like livestock and small stocks that are also helping them in terms of income and nutrition. Some are sending children to school and improving their dwelling houses,” said Mvula.

Commenting on the COMSIP groups being formed from CSEPWP, COMSIP’s Development Communication Officer, Mercy Kayuni said she was impressed with the way the groups are performing.

“We have noted resilience from these COMSIP groups and we are very impressed to see that members are benefiting from their savings which is the core purpose of the livelihood programme,” said Kayuni.

CSEPWP and COMSIP are components of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP) Tidzidalire.

CSEPWP is being implemented by the Malawi Government and is supported by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi Donor Trust Fund.

By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, October 30, Mana: Traders across Thyolo District are urging customers to adopt e-payment methods, as it is convenient as well as reduce the risk of handling huge sums of cash.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) during the Digital Financial Services (DFS) awareness campaign currently underway in Thyolo, Junis Kalikasa, a grocery shop owner at Mphande Trading Centre in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Nsabwe expressed his support for digital payments, saying it streamlines their operations, allowing them to serve more customers with ease.

“With e-payments, I no longer struggle to find change, which used to slow us down. Even customers feel safer carrying less cash, especially in crowded markets," said Kalikasa.

He said they still face resistance from some customers because of lack of knowledge on how it works; hence, the need for more civic educate activities to reach out to more people with the messages.

An agricultural supplier at Gombe Trading Centre in the area of T/A Thukuta, Amin Jassi praised mobile wallets for their convenience, especially for rural customers who travel long distances.

“Many farmers worry about theft when they carry cash, but with mobile payments, they just bring their phones,” Jassi said.

He added that digital transactions have also made it easier to keep track of sales, benefiting his business overall.

At Luchenza Town, a shop owner Justin Mwaluza noted that e-payments reduce common cash-handling issues, including presentation of counterfeit notes as well as damaged currency.

“E-payments have made transactions much easier, especially on busy days when I do not have to worry about fake notes or damaged notes which is common here.

"The problem with damaged currency affects our businesses because normally when we take it to the bank; they give you half the value of the money you are exchanging,

“Some customers even use mobile credit to buy now and pay later, which helps me maintain steady sales," said Mwaluza.

Mwaluza, however, emphasized on the need for service providers to improve on network issues as it its intermittent supply affects payment.

The campaign's District Team Leader for Thyolo, Dr. Ella Kangaude said the campaign is focused on raising DFS awareness among merchants and the public, aiming at increasing adoption in rural areas and enhance usage in urban communities.

“We are working towards educating consumers and merchants on the benefits of DFS. Our goal is to increase public trust in these digital services and help people understand the security and convenience they offer," said Kangaude.

Kangaude added that the campaign also aims at addressing several barriers to DFS adoption, such as the uneven availability of agent banking networks, understanding customer due diligence and promoting transparency on product pricing and complaints handling.

“Through this campaign, we want to build awareness of the risks and ensure consumers know about the protection guidelines available to them,” she added.

By: Brighton Chimsinde

Mchinji, October 30, Mana: Some elderly people and persons with disabilities, who are among the vulnerable group, have described digital finance services as a rescue for their lives.

Random interviews in Mchinji District, through the ongoing digital finance services (DFS) awareness campaign, led by the Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Reserve Bank of Malawi have revealed.

One of the elderly persons, Jefita Jason, a mechanic at Kapiri Trading Centre, in the district, said he prefers using digital finance services, considering his age and physical fitness.

“To tell the truth, digital money has come to rescue our lives. At my age, I cannot manage to struggle with thugs hence carrying or keeping a lot of cash is life risking. Thieves can easily rob me of the millions and displaying resistance they can kill me or leave me with injuries,” Jason said.

In her comment Juliet Brandson, a physically challenged person at Nyoka Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Nyoka in the district says she prefers the digital money services because it is safe and convenient.

“I have no problem with digital money and I prefer it because it is safe, convenient and easy. It also gives me the liberty to do almost everything on my phone like buying talk-time, paying various products, receiving money and among others,” Brandson said.

Team leader for the Mchinji DFS awareness campaign, Joshua Kunkumbira, said it was encouraging seeing the elderly and people with disabilities testifying about the multiple benefits of digital money.

“It is a source of encouragement and pride for us, that members of groups that were previously considered vulnerable are now sharing their testimonies regarding the significance of digital finance services,” Kunkumbira said.

Mchinji is currently conducting a 20 day DFS awareness campaign.

By Leah Malimbasa

Chikwawa, October 30, Mana: Outdoor learning often comes with distractions, and most learners fail to concentrate on lessons due to numerous disturbances associated with learning in the open among the extreme hot and comfortability.

But in Chikwawa District, where temperatures can soar up to 44 degrees Celsius, learning outside the classroom in sweltering heat is a struggle for many young learners, and sometimes, it makes learning difficult.

Fourteen-year-old Ethel Limbikani, is a learner at Gombwa Junior Primary School which opened for learning in 2021 with an enrolment of 385 learners but only had a single classroom block.

“We were learning outside, and during rainfall, classes were disturbed. When hot, it was also difficult to concentrate while sitting under the scorching sun,” says Ethel.

Such hardships caught the attention of Chikwawa Nkombedzi Constituency, Member of Parliament, Abida Mia, who is also the Minister of Water and Sanitation.

“The sad background of Gombwa Junior Primary School inspired me to engage an extra gear towards improving education standards in my constituency. Most learners were learning in the outdoors, which exposed them to harsh weather conditions; hence my intervention to make a difference,” she explains.

Determined to create more conducive learning environments in her constituency, the MP mobilised K46. million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and built a new classroom block at Gombwa Junior Primary School. 

According to the school’s head teacher, Chikwasha Simba Jimu, learners are no longer left at the mercy of harsh weather conditions, saying they comfortable, learning in a safe and well-structured space. 

Jimu says the MP, Chikwawa District Council and other stakeholders closely monitored the CDF procurement process and made careful follow-ups on project funds.

“Through close scrutiny, we were able to monitor how the project was progressing together with local structures such as Area Development Committees (ADC), Village Development Committees (VDC) and project committees to ensure that community members had a stake in the project. The learning structure also transformed the physical landscape of the school and the attitudes of teachers and learners alike, 

“The new classroom block has eased the burden of overcrowding, allowing teachers to conduct lessons in a comfortable environment while giving each learner the space they need to engage fully in their studies,” says Jimu.

Chikwawa District Council’s Director of Education, Youth and Sports, Gertrude Zimba concurs with Jimu on the broad impact the development has on education in the district.

“The Ministry of Education recommends a classroom ratio of 1:60. However, in Chikwawa an average classroom has 132 learners.

“This reduces interaction between teachers and learners as overcrowded classrooms make it difficult for teachers to give each student the attention they deserve, ultimately impacting learning outcomes,” says Zimba.

She adds that quality classroom infrastructure is essential for delivering education that meets national and global standards.

Aligned with the Malawi 2063 vision, which prioritizes human capital development, investments in educational facilities play a crucial role in building the foundation for a skilled and educated population.

The new classrooms also support Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

To ensure the classroom block remains in good condition, Zimba emphasises a collaborative approach. 

“We will work together with teachers, learners, and the community and the district council will allocate funds for ongoing maintenance, safeguarding this valuable resource for future generations,” she adds.

Meanwhile, Senior Group Village Head, Nzangaya expresses gratitude to both the government and Mia for working to improve education standards in the area. 

He adds: “Our children were covering about six kilometres on foot to the nearby school, but this new classroom block will ease our children’s tiresome treks to other schools. 

“We have already employed two security guards to help us safeguard the new classroom block for the benefit of future students.”

Quality classroom infrastructure is essential for delivering education that meets national and global standards. Aligned with the Malawi 2063 vision, which prioritizes human capital development, investments in educational facilities play a crucial role in building the foundation for a skilled and educated population. Such projects also support Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, August 26, MANA: First lady Madam Monica Chakwera, has called on women and girls in the country to work hard in preventing fistula by avoiding situations which leave them vulnerable to the disease.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Fistula Day at Mkaika Community Day Secondary School in Nkhotakota on Monday, Madam Chakwera said fistula can be prevented by among other things avoiding underage pregnancies in girls.

 Madam Chakwera encouraged women to take their time and focus on education until the right age where their bodies are matured enough to reproduce without negative side effects on their health.

Deputy Minister of Health Halima Daud said her ministry is working tirelessly to make sure information as well as contraceptives are made available to women and girls living in hard to reach areas to fight unintended pregnancies in communities as one way of preventing fistula cases.

She called upon chiefs, church leaders and community leaders to encourage those suffering from fistula in their communities to get medical treatment noting that fistula is a treatable condition and as such should not be a source of shame and embarrassment.

Nkhotakota District Council Chairperson Charles Chimzukuzuku, commended the government and it's partners for intensifying the fight against fistula

Freedom from fistula in collaboration with UNFPA is implementing a three-year project called empowering empowering women with obsteric fistula to ensure access to quality obsteric fistula care and social reintergration in nkhotakota with funds from the government of Iceland.

By Fostina Kamanga

Salima, November 29, Mana: Ujamaa Pamodzi Africa has trained male and female educators on how to deal and address various gender-based violence acts in schools.

Speaking on Monday, during the third phase of the training on Boys Transformation and Girls Empowerment and Self Defense, Ujamaa Salima District Coordinator, Tionge Mwanza, described the training as highly effective in tackling gender-based violence.

"These two projects are teaching boys and girls how to protect themselves from GBVs. Therefore, we are offering the skills, particularly in the event of an attack," Mwanza stated.

“We also have an initiative called Boys Transformation or Healing that aims to improve the way males view ladies by targeting them through their male schoolteachers. When there is GBV, we want the boys to step in and protect the girls," she continued.

Mwanza went on to explain that they concentrate on schools since it is also where students go to find solace.

According to a trainee, Elizabeth Gogoda of Kanjuwi Primary School, the Girls Empowerment and Self Defense project will give them the skills they need to teach girls in schools how to prevent gender-based violence.

Gogoda disclosed: "Students encounter a lot of gender-based violence even in the classroom, as girls would complain about being harassed by both teachers and other students."

Godfrey Chirwa, a teacher at Msakhwi Primary School in Chitala Zone, commented on the Boys Transformation project, saying it will make boys behave differently toward females and stand up for one another against gender-based violence.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, October 29, Mana: Farmers under National Association of Smallholder Farmer of Malawi (NASFAM) from Mjuma in Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe in Rumphi have urged their peers to join the association in order to access adequate farm inputs and profit from farming.

In an interview on Monday, one of the farmers Ester Luhanga, 57, who made K15 million from tobacco sales said she joined NASFAM in early 2000s and has since witnessed transformation in her household from struggling every day to find food to having a choice on what to eat.

"NASFAM has connected me to lending institutions which give us access to farm inputs such as fertilizers.

"Last year was one of best farming seasons. I managed to buy a car at K10.4, a motorcycle, have built a new house and also some farm inputs for the next growing season. I am food secure and very happy with my husband and children," said Kalua.

The member of Tiyane Farmers’ Club says the organization has been her lifeline as she now does everything for the family since her husband lost his sight.

She further said she now plans to buy a three tonner lorry which she will use for business in addition to the salon car she has bought to aid her mobility.

Another beneficiary, Mary Banda of Unenesko Club says since she joined NASFAM over four years ago her life has been transformed as she is now able to take care of her children after she lost her husband.

Banda, 62, who made at least K10 million from tobacco sales in 2024 has also managed to buy a motorcycle, built a new house and furnished it.

She says she now plans to start building houses for rent in order to diversify her sources of income.

Apart from tobacco, the farmers also grow maize, soya beans and groundnuts among others.

Association Business Manager for Rumphi NASFAM Office, Lettons Mkandawire says many farmers in the district have benefited from being NASAFAM members.

He urged more farmers to join NASFAM’s farmers’ clubs in order to start benefiting.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, October 28, Mana: Stormy rains coupled with hailstorms on Monday destroyed houses and property at Ipenza and Navitengo areas in the area of Senior Chief Kameme in Chitipa District.

Disaster Risk Management Officer for Chitipa, Mphatso Nedson confirmed the occurrence, saying two children have sustained minor injuries during the disaster.

“Two children sustained minor injuries and have been treated as outpatients at ipenza health post,” Nedson said.

He further said that the magnitude of the damage will be established after an assessment.

One of the community members at Ipenza, John Siame, said that so far more than 30 houses have their roofs blown off and households properties have been damaged.

The disaster comes a day after shops belonging to Chitipa District Council at Nthalire Trading Centre were blown off due to strong winds.