By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, March 12, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has described Marko Irrigation Scheme in the area of Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa District as a game changer in fighting hunger.

Speaking when he visited the area to appreciate the irrigation scheme on Tuesday, Chakwera said the facility is in line with the country’s vision of achieving food security at household and national level.

“Let me thank people of this area for utilizing the irrigation scheme. We have seen that the irrigation scheme has already started improving the livelihood of farming households,” Chakwera said.

President for Marko Water Users Association ((WUA), Wachisa Muyaba applauded government for construction of the irrigation scheme, which he said has improved food security in the area.

Muyaba said that the irrigation scheme, which has 886 farmers, managed to harvest 60 metric tonnes of maize in the last growing season.

Muyaba said the area used to be hunger stricken all year round but it is now food secure with the construction of the irrigation scheme.

“We are able to grow crops three times a year hence farming households are realizing more harvests for food and surplus for sale to earn income for supporting their families,” Muyaba said.

Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale said the irrigation scheme has also increased job creation for people in the area.

The K1.8 billion Marko Irrigation Scheme was constructed by Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (PRIDE) project with funding from The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).