Farmers in Traditional Authority Mlolo in Nsanje District have expressed excitement with the construction of an office in Fatima Extension Planning Area.

Speaking in an interview on Monday, one of the farmers, Jephter Malunga, said the office will enhance agriculture services in the area.

A house turned into EPA office at Fatima
in Nsanje. I Robert Nayeja

He said: “This area is known for farming activities in the rainy season and in winter. Farmers grow sweet potatoes, vegetables and rice which are transported to Blantyre or Limbe.

“As a flood-prone area, we need knowledge in extension services, especially in climate-smart technologies.”

Acting Senior Chief Mlolo expressed satisfaction with the construction of the office, saying people in the area have for long asked

government to build new offices after floods destroyed the old one.

“We moved in swiftly and allocated land to government for the construction of the much needed agriculture offices in our area,” she said.

Fatima EPA agriculture extension development coordinator Epimack Muna commended government for the project.

He said they were operating without offices after floods in 2015 destroyed the offices.

“Our offices at Makhanga EPA were submerged in water and all important documents and equipment were destroyed,” said Muna.

He said the construction of the K179 million facility is supported by the World Bank-funded Regional Climate Resilience Programme II