Farmers in flood hit areas get treadle pumps

Over 300, 000 farmers in floods hit Karonga are expected to get treadle pumps this month from government to enable them cultivate and plant again after their crops were washed away in the powerful El Nino powered floods. [caption id="attachment_109351" align="alignright" width="300"] Farmers on Treadle Pump[/caption] [caption id="attachment_109350" align="alignright" width="400"] Malawi Treadle Pump with wooden Treadle[/caption] An official from the district commissioner’s office, Mzondi Moyo said recently said the government would give the farmers the treadle pumps and motorized pumps to revitalize irrigation and agriculture after the farmers harvest were washed away leaving them with nothing. “This project will start in May and the aim is to ensure that agriculture is back,” said Moyo giving hope to the farmers whose crops including maize and animals were all washed away in the past few months when rains caused havoc in the northern region killing at least six people. However, in contrast rice farmers are expected to have a bumper yield attributed to the flooding as paddy finds such conditions favourable. Agriculture experts say the northern and southern regions have been hit hard by the El Nino powered weather with drought in the south and flooding in the north which will drastically reduce food yield next year. President Peter Mutharika has declared Malawi a state of national disaster following the prolonged drought and flooding and other harsh weather conditions. At least 8.2 million Malawians are in need of food this year following the harsh weather conditions