2024 has not been a good year for Malawi. Inflation is high, the currency has been devalued and the harvests are very poor because of extreme (although increasingly common) weather events. Malawians have to cope with all these challenges, and many are resilient and hard-working – see the video clip – as they try to get a living from the land.
For us, we are re-doubling our efforts to make greenhouses and irrigation affordable for farmers because these technologies can really change things. Over the last few months, we have had the support of the German government and have been able to offer all our technology with a 30% discount. Our friends at Lend with Care also make interest free loans to the farmers as we all work together to give these hard-working growers the tools they need to grow food.
We’re always looking for additional products which will work for farmers, and we are trialling a new, higher pressure solar water pump which can run powerful sprinklers. The farmer in the video is trying to water 3 football pitches of onions using a watering can in each hand – he needs a sprinkler system!
In the last few weeks, rotary clubs, churches and individuals in Scotland have all made donations which are helping us make some rain in Malawi. We are very grateful for all that support which really does change people’s lives and prospects. Early next week we are expecting a container of 200 Futurepumps to arrive at our office. These are the original model of solar water pumps which we have been deploying for five years now. This, our fourth container of pumps, will mean that we have enabled 800 farmers to make some rain, feed their families and gain some resilience in the face of a changing climate.
Malawi Fruits 