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Malawi moves towards micro-irrigation schemes

As the trend in high population growth rates in Malawi continues, there is increased pressure on smallholder farmers to improve productivity in order to increase the per capita food consumption. With abundant water resources available, VSO Malawi and its local partners have identified micro-irrigation as a viable option for increasing agricultural output at subsistence and smallholder level.

The planning and development of micro-irrigation schemes will encourage full ownership from smallholder farmers, recognising the growing importance of their role in local agriculture. This participatory approach should assist farmers in increasing their agricultural production and extending their cropping opportunities, thus enhancing food security and improving the nutritional status of local people, especially women and children.

This integrated approach is designed to meet the agricultural needs of the most disadvantaged people in the poorer provinces of this country. It will rely on volunteers working alongside communities to influence agricultural development on a regional and, perhaps ultimately, a national level.

The programme is scheduled to start in Spring 2006. We would encourage anyone with a background in irrigation, agriculture, or horticulture to re-visit these pages in a few months time or call our Response Unit for the most up-to-date information as these roles develop.

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