European Union (EU) and CISP funded the construction of Tchanga Irrigation Scheme, which was recently commissioned by the minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Kondwani Nankhumwa.

Speaking in Ntakataka in Senior Chief Kachindamoto’s region in Dedza, Nankhumwa said the project pleased President Peter Mutharika, adding that government is striving to provide a conducive policy environment for effective participation of development partners, the private sector, civil society as well as smallholder farmers.

The minister commended irrigation, stating that it allows production of quality produce as the supply of water to the crops is controlled according to requirements. He said irrigation also allows crop diversification and production planning to suit market requirements. “Government realizes the importance of irrigation with regard to economic growth and development of the country. The contribution of irrigated agriculture to national crop production has been increasing steadily as more land is put under irrigation and cropping cycles have increased.” he said.