Neno District Council

25/05/2026

Agriculture Office Challenges Neno Farmers to Increase Productivity for Regional Trade

The Agriculture Office in Neno District has challenged it's farmers to increase their productivity and add value to their crops in order to have more chances of selling their produce through the Nacala corridor under the Southern Africa Trade Connectivity Project (SATCP).

Speaking over the weekend during an agricultural fair that took place in Manyenje Village in Traditional Authority Symon, Chief Agriculture Officer, Chimwemwe Bomba assured the farmers of already existing markets among Southern African countries and a need for the farmers to increase their productivity and embark on value-added crops in order to easily pe*****te such markets.

In her remarks, Bomba emphasized the need for farmers to farm together in groups in order to produce more yields and reach the regional market targets, whilst also mentioning that Malawi, as a country, is reliant on agriculture in terms of health, food security, and the economy.

"Apart from increasing productivity and adding value to crops, farmers also need to practice crop rotation to break disease cycles that reduce crop yields' quality, which may affect their chances of accessing regional markets," Bomba stated.

"Farming is a business, not just a way of life. Utilise the knowledge you've gained from the demonstration plots in your fields and take advantage of the readily available markets," she continued.

Grace Chinkhata, one of the farmers in Manyenje Farmer Field School, hailed the project for changing their ordinary way of farming and, at the same time, exposing them to regional markets.

"Previously, we used to do our farming occupying a lot of space, whilst now we can have more yields in a small plot because of modern ways of farming, not to mention the readily available markets that will also improve our lives economically," Chinkhata said.

Realizing that farming is almost impossible without agricultural extension officers, Group Village Head Manyenje took time to appreciate the workers for their continued support and advisory services to the farmers.

As such, she encouraged her fellow chiefs to mobilize people in their communities to join farmer clubs in order to easily pe*****te the regional market with the required yields.

Neno is among the 15 districts in Malawi implementing the Southern Africa Trade Connectivity Project and will be working on cowpeas, wheat, sesame, sweet potatoes, and pigeon peas, among other value chains.

21/05/2026

NOTICE OF VACANCIES

Please refer to the attached screenshots for details regarding requirements and application procedures.

18/05/2026

Neno District Commissioner Launches 2026 Red Cross Flag Week

Neno District Commissioner Alfred Hauya has today on Monday officially launched the 2026 Red Cross Flag Week, calling on citizens to demonstrate compassion and solidarity with vulnerable community members.

In his speech, Hauya highlighted Neno's challenges, including difficult terrain and climate-induced weather hazards, but emphasized the Red Cross's steadfast support to the district. He then urged everyone to support the noble cause.

"no contribution is too small and humanity is not measured by the size of your pocket, but by the willingness of your heart." Hauya said.

Leading by example, Commissioner Hauya donated K50,000 to kickstart the fundraising efforts. The Red Cross flag, a symbol of hope and safety, will be a focal point throughout the week, with locals encouraged to donate and volunteer.

The launch kicks off a week of activities aimed at promoting humanitarian work and supporting vulnerable communities in Neno.

15/05/2026

Neno District Launches Cleanup Exercise at Zalewa Market

Neno District Council has today on Friday launched a cleanup exercise at Zalewa market, following the Presidential order No. 2 of 2026 issued by Malawi President, Professor Peter Muntharika on improved sanitation and hygiene in all public places.

Speaking during the launch, Member of Parliament for Neno North East Constituency, Mary Khembo, hailed the exercise, citing that sanitation is a core foundation of good health.

"As you are aware that Zalewa town is expanding day by day in terms of trade, it is also essential to make sure that the place is kept clean by observing cleanliness," Honourable Khembo said.

In his remarks, Neno District Commissioner Alfred Hauya expressed optimism that the people in Zalewa market will continue observing hygiene in the market as well as in their communities after the launch.

"As a Council, we will make sure that every person at this trading centre keeps their surrounding clean as well as ensuring that all other public places are also observing cleanliness," Hauya said.

Neno District Council Chair, Joseph Chiphaliwali, urged everyone to take full responsibility of ensuring that their surroundings are clean.

"My fellow Councillors, Chiefs, Teachers, Hospital staff, and all other stakeholders, I encourage you to be at the forefront in making sure that sanitation and hygiene are being observed," Chiphaliwali said.

According to the Chairperson of Zalewa market, Emmanuel Chikopa, congestion, poor waste disposal in the market, as well as lack of safe water in Zalewa, are some of the major challenges that people around Zalewa encounter, which he attributed to the major cause of the Cholera outbreak that the area has been facing.

The launch brought together chiefs, councillors, traders from Zalewa market, Hospital staff, and other stakeholders.

15/05/2026

PIH Concludes Fourth Round of Food Distribution in Neno, Reaching 3,616 Households

Partners in Health (PIH) has concluded an extended food relief distribution exercise in Neno District, wrapping up the final round on Thursday at Ligowe after expanding both the duration and reach of a programme that originally ran for three months beginning in January 2026.

What started as a three-month initiative targeting 3,000 households was extended to four months and scaled up to cover 3,616 households across all four Traditional Authorities in Neno, as the organisation responded to the persistent food insecurity gripping the district.

PIH Executive Director Basimenye Nhlema said the extension was not a reflection of a change in plan, but of the reality on the ground.

"Our initial plan was to distribute food to 3,000 households for a period of three months, but we ended up extending it by one more month and adding the number of beneficiaries to 3,616 in all four TAs in Neno," said Nhlema.

She explained that the original three-month timeline was never intended to signal the end of food insecurity, but was simply a reflection of what resources could sustain.

"The reason for extension is that though we initially planned to distribute for three months, that doesn't mean that by the end of three months people would have resolved the food insecurity that they have. It basically [came down to] the resources that we had secured."
Nhlema noted that even a recent harvest had not been enough to eliminate the problem.

"Many households here in Neno are not food adequate, meaning that the likelihood that many of them are still experiencing food insecurity is very high," she said.

She cautioned against interpreting the conclusion of the exercise as a resolution of the crisis, while reaffirming PIH's commitment to continue seeking support.

"Even as we are concluding today, it doesn't mean that we have resolved food insecurity. We continue to mobilise resources, and should we be able to find those resources, we will come back and continue to support government in its effort," she said.

Nhlema also acknowledged that PIH is operating within a broader context of constrained funding.
"Another area currently experiencing a lot of financial problems is due to change in donor funding. There is equally a huge gap where partners have to come in and support the ministry. But nonetheless, we should be able to mobilise resources where feasible."

She reminded stakeholders that food security is not PIH's core mandate, but that the organisation sees it as inextricably linked to health outcomes. "Our aim is to accompany the Ministry of Health in strengthening health services in the district."

Neno District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer Amoss Chandilanga praised PIH for going beyond its traditional role in health.
Chandilanga outlined the scale of the hunger crisis that necessitated the intervention. Of approximately 30,000 households affected by hunger in Neno, the government— through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA)— responded to 15,890 households for six months. PIH stepped in to fill part of the remaining gap, supporting 3,616 households over four rounds of distribution.

“We are so grateful to PIH— they are indeed partners not only in health, but we have seen they have touched base on a number of important issues such as disaster risk management and social welfare.

"This is the fourth round, even though we initially agreed they had to distribute in three months. This is a great development," said Chandilanga, adding that the food distributions had produced measurable benefits beyond simply addressing hunger.

"By distributing food, they are also minimizing issues of malnutrition. We have had issues with reported deaths from hunger and people eating harmful substances. With PIH, we have reduced such incidents. We have also reduced absenteeism in schools— it is something which we cannot take for granted."

On the ground, beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude for the relief. Levison John, a recipient from T/A Mlauli, said the support had transformed daily life for his family.

"PIH has helped us a lot and we are so grateful. In my family we have a child who suffers from a chronic disease, and with this help, we are happy. Before PIH's help, I was leaving my family with an ill child to go and search for piece work to source food for the family. It was a difficult life," John said.

The relief package valued at 1.2 billion includes 50kg of maize, 3kg of beans, 1kg salt, 1 litre cooking oil and K15,000 cash.

14/05/2026

09/05/2026

"MINISTER RECOGNISES NENO DISTRICT COUNCIL'S OUTSTANDING WORK"

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Ben Malunga Phiri, has praised Neno District Commissioner, Alfred Hauya for His exceptional service delivery.

In an appreciation letter dated 7th May, the Minister acknowledged the district's dedication and specifically cited its ability to inform the Ministry on revenue collections through weekly updates, which helps the Ministry provide support when necessary.

Neno District Commissioner, Alfred Hauya, thanked the team for their collaborative efforts in delivering quality services and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

This recognition reaffirms Neno's reputation as a top-performing district, as the Minister had previously acknowledged it as one of the most well-organised during an early 2026 visit.

26/04/2026

PIH, MoH launch reproductive health campaign in Neno schools

Partners in Health (PIH) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH) have launched a Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) awareness campaign in Neno, targeting the youth with life changing information and services.

Speaking during the launch at Ligowe Community Day Secondary School in Neno on Friday, PIH Primary Health Care Manager, Chisomo Kondowe, said the initiative will go a long way in addressing an area that remains poorly understood among the youth despite being part of the school curriculum.

She, therefore, said the campaign will provide accurate information, address myths and misconceptions, and create a safe space where learners can ask questions freely.

She emphasised on the need to empowering learners to make informed decisions about their health and future, describing it as key.

Schools were chosen as the entry points due to the large number of youth gathered in a structured environment.

According to Kondowe, PIH plans to expand the initiative to other secondary schools and work with youth clubs, community groups, and youth-friendly health services in order to reach out-of-school youths.

"SRHR is extremely important for young people as it directly affects their health, education, and future opportunities.

"Access to correct information helps prevent early pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and unsafe practices,” she said.

Neno District Deputy Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Services Coordinator, Dalitso Samera, expressed concern that youth lack access to information about reproductive health hence the approach.

The campaign delivered health services including screenings for non-communicable diseases, HIV testing, mental health assessments, and eye screening.

Organisers acknowledged cultural barriers and stigma around reproductive health but remained committed to working with communities to overcome the hurdles.

23/04/2026

Malawi Government Donates Motorcycles to Primary Education Advisors (PEAs)

In a move to enhance the educational sector, the Government of Malawi through the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has donated four motorcycles to Primary Education Advisors in Neno district with an aim to improve the delivery of educational services, facilitate better supervision of schools and support efforts to enhance the overall quality of education.

Speaking today, during the handover ceremony at Neno District Council, District Commissioner Alfred Hauya said that the Government is committed to improve the quality of education in Malawi citing that the provision of motorcycles is part of broader efforts to enhance supervision and support for schools, ensuring that students receive better educational opportunities and resources.

He then urged the Primary Education Advisors (PEAs) to utilize the motorcycles responsibly and effectively, emphasizing that proper use of the motorcycles is crucial for the betterment of education in the district. He encouraged them to use the motorcycles to reach schools more efficiently, conduct inspections and provide timely support to teachers and ultimately contributing to improved learning outcomes.

"These are public motorcycles and are intended for official use only. They should not be used for personal activities such as farming, nor should they be used by officer's children. It is important that these resources are used responsibly to serve their intended purpose and benefit the community." Hauya said.

Speaking after receiving the donation, the Director of Education and Sports, Foster Magombo, commended the Government, stating that the support has arrived at the right time to make a positive impact.

“As you know, due to the geographical location of this area, there are places that are difficult to reach. As a result, PEAs have been relying on personal transportation, which has made it challenging to reach these areas consistently” - Magombo explained.

He emphasized that comprehensive measures have been put in place to guarantee the proper use, effective maintenance and long-term sustainability. He explained that the office is committed to ensuring that Motorcycles are well-maintained and continue to serve the community for years to come.

“We will make sure that we are providing resources for maintenance through Zone Improvement Grant (ZIG) and also monitoring the proper use of the motorcycles so that this development is sustainable and long lasting”. He continued.

Queen Sagawa, the Primary Education Advisor for Chikonde Zone, expressed her sincere gratitude to the Government overnment for the generous donation of motorcycles. She highlighted that the support will significantly ease the work. She explained that the motorcycles will enable officials to reach remote and hard-to-access schools more efficiently, thereby improving supervision, support, and overall educational quality.

“We had 40 bicycles in our zone, but we could not reach some places, and as a result, certain plans were not accomplished. This also negatively affected student performance. The introduction of motorcycles will improve this situation, as schools will be more effectively monitored and supported.” Sagawa expressed.

Neno District has 7 education zones and all the zones are now equipped with motorcycles. This comes as the Government of Malawi has distributed 114 motorcycles across the country's educational zones.