Low access to irrigation infrastructure and technologies, lack of cheap fertiliser and high electricity tariffs rank among key challenges hindering smallholder irrigation farming, a segment widely hyped as crucial in tackling persistent food security in the country.

The challenges have been highlighted in a study conducted by non-governmental organisation Leadership for Environment and Development (Lead) Southern and Eastern Africa as part of a flurry of research being conducted in Malawi, Ghana and Kenya.

Modern irrigation technologies such as this can help Malawi become food secure

The studies are being done under an initiative called Building Research Capacity for Sustainable Water and Food Security in Drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa (Breccoia).

The Lead study, whose report is titled The Nexus Between Policies, Food and Water Security in Dry Lands of Malawi, aims to identify best practices for managing water and food security and analysing existing laws and policies in dry lands management.

Released on Wednesday, the report said the challenges have affected food production as farmers do not have enough resources to attain maximum yields.

The researchers have since asked government to invest in irrigation infrastructure technology, consider introducing subsidies on electricity and fertilisers for smallholder irrigation farmers.

Other challenges affecting irrigation farming, according to the research, are lack of boreholes and poor river catchment which facilitated dry-ups, said Lead’s national stakeholder engagement coordinator Eunice Shame Kafwamba who was part of the lead researchers.

The study was done in Zomba, Machinga, Balaka, Salima, Dowa, Phalombe and Lilongwe through focus group discussions with lead farmers and local leaders from village and area development committees.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Madalitso Kambauwa-Wirima said the outcomes would help the country in its fight against climate challenges.

She said: It is with such research information that policy makers would be guided to come up with informed policies.”

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