Torrential rain pelting Malawi since October last year has affected over 72,000 people, according to the government. Floodwater had surged through all three regions of the country, leaving four people dead, crops drowned, and road and telecommunication infrastructure damaged.

The lower reaches of the Shire River in southern Malawi, where flooding is a perennial problem, accounted for three-quarters of all flood victims. The displaced people had taken refuge in schools and churches.

Out of the 14 districts that have been affected countrywide, Chikwawa and Nsanje in the south are the worst hit. Roads leading to some villages have been completely submerged. The relief operations have been hampered due to the immense difficulty in passing through these roads. Weather conditions had made it difficult for the government to collect maize from the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) silos and distribute it to selling points throughout the country; causing a shortage of maize in the process. Despite a bumper harvest last season, there are signs of maize shortages in some parts of Malawi.

The country suffered shortages despite a 3.5 million tonnes of maize harvest in 2007. The country requires around two million tonnes annually to feed its population of over 12 million. The greater supply relates to Malawi riding high on the success of its fertilizer subsidy program. Malawi has become a regional exporter hoping to profit from booming food prices. But the government has been strongly criticized for making regional sales to neighboring countries bearing in mind the current situation within the country.

However fears of a global "economic meltdown" and a positive crop forecast for the northern hemisphere have helped stabilize food prices in the past few weeks.

Malawi plans to spend $78 million in 2008 - up from $51 million in 2007 - on seed and fertilizer subsidies for farmers. However the agriculture pundits feel that to achieve the final goal, Malawi would need more than subsidized farm inputs to escape from the trap of dependency. The country needs to invest in water harvesting and irrigation, diversified agriculture, village-based clinics, rural electrification, rural roads and other infrastructure critical for long-term growth.

Cassava has been a staple food in the area over the last century. Other crops like maize and rice have developed good demand only recently.

Mr. K Nyirenda of Kajiriwe (Local community within Kawalazi) explains more about the process on how cassava is grown in the neighbouring community. It takes him 12 to 18 months before the roots develop and he can commence his harvest. It all starts when cuttings are planted during the rainy season on the ridge or a mound that is made with the hoe (which is a bulk of the top soil to ensure that yields are higher). During the growing season he weeds the garden twice and can take roots (ready crop) for a period of three years once it is planted. But these days the Cassava Research Organization has released the latest variety that gives mature roots within a period of 6 to 8 months.

Roots are usually dug every one or two weeks to make cassava flour which is part of the normal diet within the local people.

He also indicated that it is a man’s job to clear the bush to open a new Cassava garden, which is done once every 3 to 7 years depending upon the fertility of the soil. The women and men share the making of the ridge, cutting and planting of the stem and weeding of the garden. Digging of the roots is specifically done by the women who use the roots to make flour or the roots are eaten as they are, the leaves are used as relish and the stem is used as firewood. Not a single part of the plant is wasted.

Major Chirwa has a maize garden and a rice garden in Mchingalombo village. Last year he planted maize and harvested 9 bags of 90 kgs (810 kgs) each he sold 2 of the 90 kgs bags at Kwacha 500 per tin (5 tins in a bag), his harvest of rice was 21 bags of 50 kgs (1050 kgs) and sold 10 bags at K 500 per tin (3 tins in a bag) the remaining produce he has kept for the family consumption.

Major Chirwa spends his earnings to educate his child who is in standard 6 at Limba Private Primary School. Major Chirwa further explains that this year he will extend his rice garden to 5 plots from the current 2 plots; and has already planted 4 plots so far with assistance from his wife.

His ambition is to extend all his gardens in the coming years and have sufficient reserve to attend the Driving School to obtain a driving license. With a license he plans to engage himself as a local cab (locally called Matola) driver during the season when there is no work in the fields. Thus, increase his sources of earning.

The work for the second project (Clinic) has started and the equipment has been ordered from the suppliers this week. Once the equipment arrives the laboratory will be set and will be ready for use in the next month. There is a bit of building expansion that will be done to accommodate the larger facility, but that will not stop the operations and functioning of the lab. Advertisements will be made in all the neighboring villages of the new development in the next month.

Upkeep of the eucalyptus plants continues and distribution will be in effect after the confirmation of the Traditional Authority (Village Chief).