An agriculture expert, Felix Jumbe, says the inclusion of Shire Valley Transformation (SVTP) and Agriculture Commercialization (ACP) Projects in the 2019/20 national budget is a significant move towards Malawi’s food security and income generation to government and the farmers.

The recent budget statement presented in parliament by the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Joseph Mwanamveka, allocated K18.9 billion and K13.1 billion to SVTP and ACP projects respectively.

Jumbe emphasized that the large scale irrigation project is a mitigating factor to effects of climate change.

Jumbe said: “Irrigation is the main technology that can mitigate climate change more especially when it is practiced on commercial basis.”

He further said SVTP and ACP projects will increase productivity and it is also important to consider marketing the products that farmers will produce.

“If the project is implemented effectively, lives of farmers will be transformed as they will generate more income from sales made locally and internationally,” he said.

The projects are aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and commercialization and to improve the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources.

Agriculture sector is the second largest in terms of budget allocation at K167.0 billion from the 2019/20 financial year.