INDEGINOUS IRRIGATION WATER MANAGEMENT EXPERTS-CASE OF KAMBILONJO FARMERS

On 11 July 2013, I was in a gravel investigation mission around Kambilonjo Area (also known as Ssera in Mozambique) for earthworks on a construction project. It is located about 20km from Tsangano Turnoff on the Ntcheu-Tsangano-Neno Road. This area is known for its hard working farmers and it is synonymous with Irish Potato growing. As I was driving along the potato fields I was impressed with the hard work and commitment of these true daughters and sons of Malawi. In my view these patriotic Malawians deserve national accolades for dedicating their lives in keeping us alive in the cities. Along the way something caught the attention of my expert eye-their Irrigation Water Management Technique.

The area has perennial rivers however the water is not adequate to afford 'flooding' of their fields as most smallholder farmers believe is the best way to irrigate. Therefore they developed a mean approach to irrigation. Do not think that they have installed drip irrigation systems.

Irish Potato Fields in Kambilonjo Area (Green Patches)

Surprisingly, furrow irrigation system is the most prevalent method of irrigation. The farmers use locally available resources to construct their gravity fed irrigation system. They use sand filled bags to build temporary weirs which act as headworks for stream diversion. Interestingly they optimize water use by digging small canals of about 100mm wide and 100mm deep to transport water to their fields. Technically the farmers construct canals with small wetted area hence little water is lost due to percolation. I also noted that the farmers by using small streams are conscious with the actual application to the plants as a result they do not over-irrigate. This is really a beacon of sustainable irrigation in light of climate change.

I hope my fellow irrigation experts can borrow a leaf from these farmers to emphasize if not overemphasize to other farming community who think irrigation is flooding their fields. To those who have time and resources please visit the area and see these indigenous irrigation water management experts.