Rightsholders from the three Group Village Heads (GVH) of Fosa, Kachere, and Mkomawathu 2 in the area of Senior Chief Kachere, Dedza district, have been equipped with knowledge and skills in mini-drip irrigation, maintenance, and plot layout, all conducted in their respective communities.
The trainings have been conducted through core support from IM Swedish Development Partner, aiming to ensure better nutrition and improve the livelihoods of the people while addressing climate change.
Chief Agriculture Officer for Dedza district council, Matilda Mtambo, addressing the rights-holders
During the training at GVH Mkomawathu 2, Matilda Mtambo, the Chief Agriculture Officer for Dedza District Council, praised YICOD for its smart agricultural interventions, stating that these efforts are timely, especially as the country confronts the negative effects of climate change and strives for food security, given that many people depend on agriculture.
She noted that the area faces water scarcity, with no rivers and limited water points. In this context, she described mini-drip irrigation as a viable solution that uses less water while yielding significant results. She emphasized that this system would allow households to save money that they would otherwise spend on purchasing vegetables and other agricultural products.
However, the Chief Agriculture Officer also advised the participants to consider commercializing their agricultural activities, so the income generated could support their livelihoods.
"We need to take agriculture to a commercial level. Let’s utilize the skills that YICOD has provided through this training. I am confident that we will be able to combat malnutrition by ensuring access to all six required food groups. Additionally, we can sell the surplus and enhance our livelihoods," she said.
One of the rightsholders, Kezia Kavalo, from Kapitapita village, expressed her excitement about the knowledge gained, stating it has empowered women to be self-reliant.
“This will make farming very simple as it requires small efforts. As a woman, I am happy to learn about mini-drip irrigation. We are going to implement this in our area as, in return, we will be getting income from the sales of whatever we will be growing using this type of irrigation, which is also better for this area that does not have enough sources of water,” she said.
