1.    IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD SECURITY
The Irrigation Development and Food Security Component is designed to transform the Songwe River Basin from predominantly rain-fed subsistence agriculture into a climate-resilient, irrigated and commercially-oriented agricultural production zone. The component aims to enhance food security, increase agricultural productivity, promote agro-industrial development, strengthen climate resilience, and improve livelihoods for communities in both Tanzania and Malawi through sustainable water resources utilisation and modern agricultural practices.
1.1.    Lower Songwe River Tanzania Irrigation Scheme
Investment Cost:USD 19.56 Million

Capacity
•    Approximately 3,150 hectares of irrigated agricultural land. 
•    Modern irrigation, drainage and water management infrastructure. 
•    Support to thousands of farming households and farmer organisations. 
•    Increased production of food and cash crops through year-round farming. 

Key Interventions
•    Construction of irrigation canals, water conveyance systems and drainage infrastructure. 
•    Development of water control and regulation structures. 
•    Land development, levelling and irrigation command area preparation. 
•    Establishment of farm access infrastructure and service facilities. 
•    Strengthening of Water Users Associations (WUAs). 
•    Farmer capacity building on irrigation management and climate-smart agriculture. 
•    Agricultural extension services and technology transfer. 
•    Promotion of improved crop varieties and sustainable farming practices. 

Expected Outcomes
•    Increased agricultural productivity and cropping intensity. 
•    Expansion of year-round agricultural production. 
•    Increased production of rice, maize, cassava, vegetables and horticultural crops. 
•    Improved food and nutrition security. 
•    Increased household incomes and employment opportunities. 
•    Enhanced resilience to droughts and climate variability. 
•    Strengthened agricultural value chains and agro-processing opportunities. 
•    Improved water use efficiency and sustainable land management. 
1.2.    Lower Songwe River Malawi Irrigation Scheme

Investment Cost:USD 23.125 Million
Capacity
•    Approximately 3,050 hectares of irrigated agricultural land. 
•    Modern irrigation and drainage infrastructure supporting year-round production. 
•    Improved agricultural water management systems. 
•    Enhanced productive capacity of farming communities in Karonga District. 

Key Interventions
•    Development of irrigation and drainage infrastructure. 
•    Construction of water control, distribution and drainage systems. 
•    Land development and irrigation command area preparation. 
•    Establishment of water management and operation systems. 
•    Farmer organisation, training and institutional strengthening. 
•    Promotion of climate-smart and conservation agriculture. 
•    Agricultural extension and advisory services. 
•    Support for agricultural commercialisation and market access. 

Expected Outcomes
•    Increased agricultural production and productivity. 
•    Improved food security and nutrition. 
•    Reduced vulnerability to droughts and climate-related shocks. 
•    Increased household incomes and employment generation. 
•    Strengthened agricultural value chains and agribusiness development. 
•    Improved water management and resource efficiency. 
•    Enhanced climate resilience and sustainable agricultural development. 

1.3.    Land Tenure Formalisation
Investment Cost:USD 0.5 Million

Capacity
•    Formalisation of land ownership, land-use rights and tenure arrangements within irrigation command areas. 
•    Strengthening of land administration systems for irrigation development. 
•    Improved security of tenure for beneficiary communities. 

Key Interventions
•    Land surveys and demarcation of irrigation command areas. 
•    Preparation and issuance of land tenure and user-right documentation. 
•    Development of land administration and management systems. 
•    Community sensitization and awareness programmes. 
•    Conflict resolution and land governance strengthening. 

Expected Outcomes
•    Increased investment confidence among farmers and investors. 
•    Reduced land disputes and conflicts. 
•    Improved access to agricultural credit and financing. 
•    Enhanced land productivity and sustainable land use. 
•    Strengthened tenure security and social stability. 
•    Improved management of irrigation schemes and agricultural investments. 

1.4.    Studies on Rainwater Harvesting and Assessment of Irrigation Schemes
Investment Cost:USD 0.15 Million

Capacity
•    Assessment of basin-wide rainwater harvesting potential. 
•    Identification of new irrigation development opportunities. 
•    Development of investment-ready concepts for future irrigation expansion. 

Key Interventions
•    Feasibility studies for rainwater harvesting systems. 
•    Assessment of existing and potential irrigation schemes. 
•    Hydrological and water resources assessments. 
•    Identification of suitable sites for small and medium-scale irrigation development. 
•    Evaluation of climate-resilient water storage technologies. 
•    Preparation of technical and investment recommendations. 

Expected Outcomes
•    Improved understanding of basin water resources potential. 
•    Identification of new opportunities for irrigation expansion. 
•    Increased water availability for agriculture and livestock. 
•    Enhanced drought resilience and climate adaptation. 
•    Development of future investment projects for agricultural transformation. 
•    Strengthened integrated water resources management within the basin. 

1.5.    Integrated Soil and Water Conservation (SWC) and Fertility Management for Rainfed Maize Production
Investment Cost:USD 2.0 Million

Capacity
•    Promotion of sustainable land management practices across rain-fed agricultural areas. 
•    Improved soil fertility and water retention in maize production systems. 
•    Support to smallholder farmers adopting climate-smart agricultural practices. 

Key Interventions
•    Soil and water conservation measures. 
•    Contour farming, terracing and erosion control structures. 
•    Integrated soil fertility management. 
•    Promotion of conservation agriculture practices. 
•    Agroforestry and watershed restoration activities. 
•    Farmer training and demonstration programmes. 
•    Improved nutrient management and sustainable land-use practices. 

Expected Outcomes
•    Increased maize yields and agricultural productivity. 
•    Improved soil fertility and soil health. 
•    Reduced soil erosion and land degradation. 
•    Increased water infiltration and moisture retention. 
•    Enhanced resilience to climate variability and droughts. 
•    Improved food security and household incomes. 
•    Strengthened sustainable agricultural production systems and environmental conservation.