Farmers in Machinga have begun shifting to irrigation and other climate-smart farming practices in anticipation of the forecast El Niño conditions for the 2026/27 agricultural season, as efforts intensify to protect food production from the effects of prolonged dry spells.
The move was highlighted on Thursday during the launch of the Integrated Catchment Management and Irrigation Programme at Mbonechela Extension Planning Area (EPA), an initiative aimed at strengthening community resilience through catchment conservation, irrigation and sustainable agricultural practices to improve food security and livelihoods.
Lead farmer at Chimwemwe-2 Irrigation Scheme in Traditional Authority Sitola, Margaret Witness, said farmers are no longer waiting for the onset of the rainy season but are investing in irrigation to cushion themselves against the anticipated dry conditions.
“We have been advised of El Niño threats in the 2026/2027 growing season and, as farmers, we have moved swiftly into irrigation and not wait for the rains to ensure we have something to harvest for food,” said Witness.
Chief Land Resources Conservation Officer for Machinga Agricultural Development Division (ADD), Emmanuel Chirwa, said the district is among areas considered vulnerable to the expected El Niño, making climate-smart farming essential for sustaining agricultural production.
Chirwa said farmers are being encouraged to adopt practices that improve soil moisture retention, including conservation agriculture, the use of organic manure and construction of swales, alongside expanding irrigation farming.
“We have advised farmers to swiftly adopt good farming practices such as use of manure, conservation agriculture, and also quickly go for irrigation farming to survive El Niño and not wait for rain-fed farming only,” he said.
Machinga District Council Chairperson Steven Mkwatula said the district has the potential to lessen the impact of drought by making better use of its irrigation schemes and winter cropping opportunities along rivers.
He also encouraged farmers to grow early-maturing and drought-tolerant crops, including sweet potatoes and sorghum, to reduce the risks associated with erratic rainfall.
The Integrated Catchment Management and Irrigation Programme seeks to strengthen resilience to climate shocks by promoting sustainable management of water and land resources while improving household food and nutrition security.
