Smallholder farmers in Santhe Extension Planning Area in Kasungu District have commended AG Care for drilling farmers in irrigation and livestock farming in the district.

During a tour on Friday to assess the impact of the project, it transpired that some beneficiaries ventured in irrigation farming while others were rearing animals. 

One of the farmers, Wilson Bonongwe, said before the project, he struggled to provide basic necessities for his family.

Bonongwe stands besides a pig’s house

He said: “The organisation supported me with a start-up capital in 2020 and I decided to venture in livestock farming.

“I initially bought goats, but eventually, I bought pigs. These animals provide me with cash after selling them.”

Another farmer, Godfrey Yembekezani, said in 2020 they organised themselves in groups called Chimwetsero.

He said they started irrigation farming and realised K564 000 which they partly invested in farming.

“We also shared the money among members,” he said.

AG Care Transform project coordinator Mirriam Yona Mbewe said she was impressed with how the smallholder farmers embraced drip irrigation technology.

She said the technology is less involving than using watering cans.

Said Mbewe: “Farmers also yield more on a small space utilising little water.

“With climate change these days, water is scarce, so drip irrigation farming enables farmers to use water efficiently and at the same time, they yield more with less labour required.”

AG Care is an organisation founded by the Malawi Assemblies of God.

It was previously known as Assemblies of God Relief and Development Services and is implementing a Transform project

Transform Project is being implemented in Kasungu, Dowa and Mchinji coordinated by the Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.

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