Writes Moses Thole -MALAWI.

Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia, representing Chikwawa Nkombedzi Constituency, recently highlighted the significance of supporting integrated farming as a crucial strategy to alleviate hunger in Malawi.

Addressing attendees at the 2024 Ngabu ASP Manure launch held at Msomo ground in Traditional Authority Ngabu, Mia emphasized the potential of integrated farming in addressing food insecurity in the country.

During her visit, Mia also took the opportunity to tour the Goma manure production site and the Thiramsembe irrigation scheme, both projects falling under the Shire Valley Agricultural Development Division (ADD).

Expressing her support for such initiatives, Mia expressed her belief that achieving Malawi’s 2063 goals is feasible if these integrated farming practices are fully embraced and empowered.

In a bid to further contribute towards the cause, the minister pledged financial assistance for the expansion of the Thiramsembe scheme, which currently covers 10 hectares of land but is facing underutilization due to limited resources.

As part of her commitment to empowering local farmers, Mia assured stakeholders of her support towards addressing the resource constraints hampering the scheme’s full potential.

During the event, Group Village Headman Goma made a plea to the minister and other stakeholders for assistance with maize seed supplies to enhance the productivity of local farmers.

Emphasizing the importance of collaborations and support in achieving sustainable food security, Mia reiterated the theme of the launch, ‘Integrated Farming Promotes Food Security.’

By advocating for integrated farming practices and backing agricultural initiatives, Minister Abida Mia is spearheading efforts to combat hunger in Malawi and pave the way for a more food-secure future.