Drought work reaps crop rewards in Malawi

Irrigation training in Malawi is making a major difference to farmers facing the threat of frequent droughts.

Simple water schemes are having a big impact on small-scale crop growers living in Machinga district in the south of the country.

Advisers from Tearfund’s disaster risk reduction partner, Emmanuel International, have been working with the community to help them become more resilient to drought by setting up irrigation clubs where villagers learn simple techniques for channelling and storing rain water.

This in turn boosts production and enables surplus food to be sold to pay for other household needs, such as the children’s school uniforms.

Farmer Wild Fayala, who lives with his wife and five children in the village of Mbalwe, is among those who’ve taken part, learning irrigation techniques at a demonstration garden in the community.

He’s also benefited from learning to grow new crops during the winter months which means he has greater food security.

Surplus food is now being sold on to others in the community, which in turn means they don’t have to buy more expensive produce at the market.