MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera has announced his government’s plan to turn the entire Henga Valley into a large-scale irrigation scheme aimed at boosting food production and supporting the livelihoods of people in Rumphi District.
Speaking at Mhuju Trading Centre in the area of Senior Chief Mwahenga, the final stop of his development tour of Rumphi, Chakwera expressed concern over the underutilisation of the fertile valley.
“Looking at the dormant Henga Valley, it saddens me because it has water throughout the year but is not being fully utilised,” said Chakwera.
He explained that the valley has great potential to transform the agricultural landscape of Rumphi if proper irrigation infrastructure is put in place.
Chakwera said his government’s vision is to create a food-sufficient country, and part of that plan includes investing in strategic irrigation schemes such as the one proposed for Henga Valley.
“My government, in its vision of creating a food-sufficient country, will develop the valley into a large irrigation scheme which will be able to produce food for the entire district,” he added.
Senior Chief Mwahenga commended the government for various developmental projects already underway in the area, particularly the rehabilitation of the M1 Road which is a vital economic artery in the region.
The event was attended by several high-ranking government officials and dignitaries.
Among them were Minister of Local Government and Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Secretary General Richard Chimwendo Banda, Minister of Lands Deus Gumba, Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule, and Paramount Chief Themba la ma Themba Chikulamayembe.
The tour marks another effort by the Chakwera administration to showcase its commitment to rural transformation and infrastructural development, with the president pledging more projects that will empower local communities through agriculture and improved connectivity.
