• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Villages in Partnership

Fighting Poverty in Malawi

DONATE
  • About VIP
    • Our Story
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Staff
    • Our Partners
    • 2021 Annual Report
  • VIP Voices
    • Blog & Stories
    • VIP Videos
  • Friendship Trips
    • Why We Go
    • Trip Information
    • Trip Interest Form
  • Contact Us
  • Poverty in Malawi
    • Poverty Overview
    • Our Catchment Area
    • Climate Change
  • Our
    Response
    • The Six Critical Needs of Human Development
      • Water
      • Food Security
      • Education
      • Health Care
      • Infrastructure
      • Economic Development
  • How You Can Help
    • Water Walk 2023
    • Give Today
    • ❤ Give Monthly
    • Matching Gifts
    • Fundraise
    • Become A Church Partner
    • Amazon Smile
    • Volunteer

Cash Crops: Solar Irrigation Systems are Creating Opportunities

October 19, 2022 by Sarah Moore 1 Comment

Malawian farmer celebrating his onion cash crops.

For the first year, Malawian farmers in VIP’s partner villages are making significant profits. For those who are unaware of the seasonal split in Malawi, this is an unusual time for harvest. The rainy season ended back in March 2022 and they have not received rain since. However, these farmers are able to grow crops, even during the dry season because of the Solar Irrigation System put into place 3 years ago with the support of the VIP family. 

It takes time for people to learn and adapt new strategies. The first year after installation of the Solar Irrigation Systems, all farmers insisted on growing maize because that is their staple food and they wanted to supplement their household needs.

Malawian farmers harvesting their cash crops.

The second year, after VIP offered agribusiness training and exposure to farmers from other areas of the country, who grow cash crops, several of the farmers took a risk and grew tomatoes and watermelons. They made huge profits and their success convinced all the farmers to grow cash crops!

This year, 100% of the farmers grew cash crops such as watermelons, tomatoes and onions. The profits enable them not only to purchase supplemental maize and other household needs but to make asset investments; investing in livestock that will multiply and be sold in the future, purchasing bicycles that will be used for bike taxis and water pumps to use on fields near a stream, these farmers are investing in their futures. The Solar Irrigation Systems that the VIP family helped to fund are creating opportunities for our brothers and sisters in Malawi! Our most recent Friendship Team had the blessing of participating in the harvest and loading the truck to go to market.

Friendship Team helping to harvest and load the cash crops to go to market.
Children eating harvested watermelons.

Filed Under: Journal, news, Project Update, Uncategorized Tagged With: Journal, news

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ellie Schofield says

    October 19, 2022 at 9:26 pm

    This is wonderful news!
    To know that the irrigation system is such a success warms my heart!
    I am proud & thankful to be a part of VIP!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

DONATE
Poverty in Malawi
Our Response
How You Can Help
About VIP
Blog & Stories
Friendship Trips
Contact
Privacy Policy

Villages In Partnership is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Tax ID # 45-2442802

GuideStar
Villages In Partnership Nonprofit Overview and Reviews on GreatNonprofits

Villages In Partnership supports the
United Nations'
Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Development Goals

Newsletter

  • Hidden
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© 2023 Villages In Partnership, Inc

  • About VIP
  • VIP Voices
  • Friendship Trips
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 · Infinity Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Your spot is saved!

Watch your email for the link to join. Use that link to join the call using Zoom just before the event begins.

See you then!

You can test your Zoom settings at any time by visiting zoom.us/test on the device you plan to use for this event.

  • Donate
  • Water Walk 2023
  • Friendship Trips
    ▼
    • Why We Go
    • Trip Info
    • Trip Interest Form
    • Pay Trip Fees
  • Poverty in Malawi
    ▼
    • Poverty Overview
    • Our Catchment Area
    • Climate Change
  • Our Response
    ▼
    • 6 Needs of Human Development
  • How You Can Help
    ▼
    • Give Today
    • ❤ Give Monthly
    • Give Supplies
    • Fundraise
    • Volunteer
    • Become A Church Partner
  • About VIP
    ▼
    • Our Story
    • Our Mission & Values
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Staff
    • Our Partners
    • 2021 Annual Report
  • VIP Voices
    ▼
    • Blog & Stories
    • VIP Videos
  • Contact Us