Empower 30 Malawian Families with Solar Irrigation

PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT

Project #50162: Empower 30 Malawian Families with Solar Irrigation by Eagles Relief and Development Programme International

Find below the status of the Project #50162 with a goal to empower 30 Malawian Families with Solar Irrigation Farming.

Project Location

The project is being implemented in Balaka District, Southern Region of Malawi. The district is disaster prone. With frequent droughts as a result climate change, farmers do not harvest enough to feed their families throughout the year. A good case in point is this year, whereby the first rains have come after mid-December 2021 instead of October 2021. The rainy season has delayed by at least 2 months.

Fundraising Goal

With the fundraising goal of $50,000 to be raised to enable Eagles establish a solar powered irrigation system that would support 30 Malawian families to grow crops throughout the year, $25,041 has so far been raised. One behalf of the communities that are eagerly looking forward to the establishment of the scheme, we are profoundly grateful! However, we still have $24,959 required to be raised.

To enable Eagles effectively set up the irrigation system, more funds are needed to be raised to enable procurement of the equipment for the system as well as enable Eagles conduct other capacity building interventions for the farmers.

Set up of the entire system requires at least $26,667 which comprises various components including the drilling of the boreholes, purchasing of solar panels, construction of a powerhouse for housing the water pumps, procurement of pipes and other accessories.

Project Implementation Progress

While waiting for the fundraising goal to be met, Eagles decided to initiate the project, while trusting that with continued contributions, the full amount of $50,000 will be raised. We are encouraged that we now have one donor committed to donating monthly towards the project. We hope more donors will come forth with monthly donations, to help us meet the Project Budget of $50,000.

Since the last update, Eagles has thus far implemented the following activities:

• After signing the memorandum of understanding with land owners, the project engaged Balaka District Irrigation Officers to conduct feasibility study on the site and came up with irrigation scheme designs (with detailed sketch maps covering power house construction housing three pumps, laying of pipes, hydrants and man holes).
• Identification of Contractor to construct the Solar Powered Surface Pump Irrigation Scheme, in collaboration and liaison with the District Irrigation Officers and Eagles Internal Procurement Committee. The process is yet to be finalized to come up with the final contractor.
• Tiyanjane Irrigation Scheme farmers continued to cultivate different crops on the land using traditional watering cans while waiting to use the improved solar irrigation system. They grew maize, Chinese cabbage and tomatoes as depicted by the pictures taken. The farmers remain eager to upgrade from the cans to the solar powered system as soon as it is constructed.

Given the recurrence of dry spells and droughts in Malawi, aand in Balaka in particular, due to climate change, raising the remaining balance of $24,959 iscritical.

On behalf of Eagles and the farmers, I would like to thank you very much for your generous support this far. 

Links:

• Video of Eagles empowering approach for community transformation