Phalombe District Council says it will rehabilitate seven irrigation schemes as part of its preparations for the anticipated El Niño weather conditions this year.

Council spokesperson Kondwani Mangulenje told Zodiak Online on Monday that the rehabilitation works are expected to restore 342 hectares of irrigable land and benefit 1,142 smallholder farmers.

Mangulenje said the district has 11 irrigation schemes in need of rehabilitation, adding that the council is lobbying for support to restore the remaining schemes.

He said about 21 major irrigation schemes were affected by floods in 2023, resulting in the loss of 997 hectares of irrigation land, although some of the schemes are partially operational following minor rehabilitation works.

“About 21 major irrigation schemes were affected by floods in 2023, resulting in the loss of 997 hectares of irrigation land. However, some of the schemes are partially operational following minor rehabilitation works,” said Mangulenje.

He said some organisations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Catholic Development Commission of Malawi (CADECOM) and World Vision Malawi (WVM), have pledged to rehabilitate some of the affected schemes.

Mangulenje added that the procurement of contractors for the rehabilitation works is at various stages, with construction expected to commence once the process is completed.

Meanwhile, agriculture expert Greciam Kamnyamata has commended the council for the initiative, saying rehabilitating irrigation schemes damaged by floods will help communities mitigate the potential effects of El Niño.

Kamnyamata has also urged other district councils to follow Phalombe's example by rehabilitating damaged irrigation schemes to boost agricultural production and help communities cope with the anticipated weather conditions.

“El Niño is expected to have adverse effects in the country, and prior preparations are the only way to mitigate these effects,” said Kamnyamata

Phalombe was among the districts severely affected by floods triggered by Tropical Cyclone Freddy in 2023, which damaged irrigation infrastructure and disrupted farming activities