Salima, MALAWI – Minister of Energy Jean Mathanga has commissioned 210-kilowatt solar power electricity for irrigation at Lifuwu Irrigation Scheme in Salima, boosting irrigable land from 48 to 198 hectares.
The event took place Wednesday on the sidelines of Renewable Energy Industries Association (REIAMA) National Energy Conference in Salima.
The minister described the development as a milestone in addressing energy challenges in the country.
“This is a secure clean and reliable cost free intervention. There will be no burden for farmers to buy fuel and no emissions to the environment,” she said.
The minister challenged stakeholders in the energy sector to stop discussing energy challenges but to find solutions.
She hailed Giz Endev Malawi for the intervention describing it a life changing to the communities and the nation at large.
Secretary for Agriculture, Erica Maganga said most irrigation schemes in the country are idle due to high cost of Escom power.
She called the farmers to make good use of the facility to reap more benefits from it.
Lifuwu Cooperative Chairperson Arthur Rashid said 465 farmers on the scheme made no profits due to higher cost of power on the scheme.
Giz has also provided 36 kilowatt of solar power to the scheme for the operation of a rice meal.